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. 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 prevalent throughout much of temperate Eurasia and North Africa.
The Coal Tit is a frequent visitor to garden bird baths to drink and to bathe (here with Bluetits).
Bathing.
The fledgling initially has a grey front and yellow cheeks.
The front gradually turns pale yellow.
Pair gathering nesting material.
Links
Great Tit
Blue Tit