Just sorting through a batch of photos taken over the last few months and I am unsure whether this is a Willow or Marsh Tit, not a coal tit as no white band on head, can anyone clarify, thanks
visit http://walksnwildlife.blogspot.com/
I got a better picture of my mystery bird. It is definately a sort of fawn colour underneath. There is no blue or yellow on it anywhere.
seymouraves said: Hi, the size of the bib on this bird seems to indicate Coal Tit IMHO - there also appears to be a small smudge on the breast side which Coal Tits often show :) S
Hi,
the size of the bib on this bird seems to indicate Coal Tit IMHO - there also appears to be a small smudge on the breast side which Coal Tits often show :)
S
Just had a look again at Coal tit pictures on rspb and looks like you are right.
I was back out over the weekend watching the feeders with camera at the ready, and got the pictures below, think i have now settled on it being a Marsh Tit.
Gary http://walksnwildlife.blogspot.com/
WOW! brilliant photos Gary. It is a charming little bird and one I would love to see. Thanks for sharing yours.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Hi Gary,
I have just checked the dates on this post sept 09 and realised you have started two posts about seperating Willow and Marsh Tits.
I gave an informative reply to the second post which was started in december.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/forums/t/7558.aspx?PageIndex=1
I hope the information provided may make easier when trying to seperate them using a photograph only.
As mentioned by some other members call and song is by far the easiest way of seperating the two.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Very likely to be a marsh tit - they visit feeders. Very cute bird indeed.
I would go for Marsh Tit, simply by the fact that they are much more common.
I agree with the other comments about how difficult they are to tell apart, they were actually only recognised as a seperate species a little over 100 years ago.
Aswell as the subtle differences noted, I believe the way most birders tell them apart is by sound, obviously doesn't help with your photo (?), but have you tried the bird ID pages on this website, has a sound clip for both species:-
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/m/index.aspx
I find the easy soution to this Marsh tit Willow tit problem is to refer to them all as " Mallow Tits "
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag" Mary Poppins
Unknown said: I find the easy soution to this Marsh tit Willow tit problem is to refer to them all as " Mallow Tits "
Hi ND, that gave me an early morning chuckle - what a brilliant idea! There you are Gary, problem solved...
I always thought they were Wish Tits - you know, as in Wish Tit was that???
Laurence
LOL at that too! This could run and run.