Coal Tit

Features a glossy black cap and throat, a prominent white cheek patch, and a distinct white spot on the nape. The upperparts are grey-green, the underparts are whitish with buff flanks, and the wings show two pale wing-bars.

Black cap, white cheek patch, and most distinctively, a bright white patch on the back of the neck (nape).

Length: 10-11.5 cm, Wingspan: 17-21 cm, Weight: 8-10 g.

A high-pitched, ringing, repetitive 'see-chu, see-chu' song and various thin, piping contact calls.

Insects, spiders, and tree seeds, particularly conifer seeds. They actively cache food in autumn and winter for later consumption.

Coniferous and mixed woodlands, parklands, and gardens with mature trees.

Mostly sedentary resident, though northern and eastern populations may undertake irruptive movements southward in some years.

Nests in tree cavities, old woodpecker holes, or nest boxes, sometimes burrowing into banks or walls. Lays 7 to 11 white eggs with red spots, incubated mainly by the female.

Great Tit (larger, with a yellow breast and black central stripe) and Marsh Tit (lacks the distinct white nape spot and has a browner cap).

Acts as an important predator of forest insects, helping to control pest populations, and plays a role in seed dispersal.

Least Concern, with a stable population trend globally.

Look and listen in coniferous woodlands or mixed forests. They readily visit backyard bird feeders, especially when suet or sunflower seeds are offered.

Coal Tits have exceptional memory skills, which help them relocate thousands of food items they hide during the autumn caching season.