Coal Tit Periparus ater
The Coal Tit has a subtle pinky-yellow front without the black centre line of its Great and Blue cousins, white cheeks,
black bib and black cap with a distinctive, white "badger" stripe on the nape.
It is prevalent throughout much of temperate Eurasia and North Africa, with different subspecies
throughout the range.
Shown is the British subspecies, P. a. britannicus, which is a little smaller
than those in southern Europe and has a slight olive green tinge to its grey back rather than the blue-grey of continental European birds.
"They said that's the icing on the cake."
" 's no icing."
Less wary at new food sources, this one is delighted to be first.
The bib (more extensive than on Willow or Marsh Tit).
Peanut cake is a particular favourite.
The badger stripe on the nape.
The Coal Tit is a little smaller than the Blue Tit (top).
The pink tongue.
The Coal Tit is a frequent visitor to garden bird baths to drink and to bathe (here with Bluetits).
Bathing.
Pair gathering nesting material.
The fledgling initially has a grey front and yellow cheeks.
The front gradually turns pale yellow.
Links
Great Tit
Blue Tit