Coal tit? Great tit variation (1 Viewer)

[Themoog]

Location ; East Kent coastal, UK

Date ; Sunday 25th June

Habitat ; suburban garden

Behaviour ; taken sunflower seeds from birdtable to neighbouring branch to eat then back again. Also visited suspended water bath for inspection/drink not wash. More Great tit-like activity than anything else I've seen. Not quite as fast or nervous as a blue tit. Just turned up in the last few day and last seen back in January.

Size ; Great tit.

Markings ; Black to dark blue legs and feet. Legs quite long for a tit. Markings as per Coal tit but with strong black vertical stripe through chest. No buff or yellow on chest. Off white if anything. Narrow beak.

Would make a guess at a variation of Great Tit and can't find anything as close in books or net save reference to a carotenoid variation of Great Tit.

Is this likely the case?

All the best

TM

 

[P.Sunesen]

Yes, a pale Great Tit.

 

[Themoog]

Many thanks for clearing that up for me.

Kind regards

TM

 

[stevethehydra]

Coal Tit is smaller than Blue Tit, so if it's Great Tit-sized, it is a Great Tit. Young ones especially can look dull and greyish, and I believe dietary issues can cause a lack of the yellow pigment.

While they seem quite different, there is evidence in common names used in various languages that Great Tit and Coal Tit have been historically confused - e.g. German for Great Tit is "Kohlmeise", literally Coal Tit!

 

[Themoog]

Glad it's not just me that has found this little bird confusing. I'm learning. It's a process I guess.

German is, at least to me, a very logical language. We say, 'half past two', the German is, 'Half (to) three', for example I believe. Gotta respect that. Neither is more correct than the other.

Very interesting insight. Thank you.

This pale Great Tit stands out at a point in this season where almost all of the other Tits have gone elsewhere. I'm guessing because with this spell of good weather the insect world has sprung to life around here and our supplementary supplies are not currently needed as much.

He/she is a spritely and charming little addition amongst the reliable and endearing sparrows here. They're thriving.

Certainly 'Great Grey' in very fine, healthy plumage whereas our one remaining neighbourhood Bluetit looks very dishevelled. Hope it's alright.

Will supplement core offerings with some chopped fruit kebabs this week and see if they're interested.

Thanks again and all the best

TM

 

[AlinoVegano]

Coal Tit is the only UK tit with two wing bars. Great Tit has one, like Blue Tit. Other tits have none.

 

[Nutcracker]

Intensity of yellow in Great Tits is related to diet - birds that eat lots of natural food (green caterpillars in particular) are strongly yellow, those that primarily eat seeds from bird feeders are much less yellow. Tends to result in countryside Great Tits being yellow and urban ones dull.

 

[Themoog]

Coal Tit is the only UK tit with two wing bars. Great Tit has one, like Blue Tit. Other tits have none.

That's a really good one to remember. Thank you.

If he/she pops back I'll look for that indicator first and report back if it doesn't tally.

All the best

TM

 

[Themoog]

Intensity of yellow in Great Tits is related to diet - birds that eat lots of natural food (green caterpillars in particular) are strongly yellow, those that primarily eat seeds from bird feeders are much less yellow. Tends to result in countryside Great Tits being yellow and urban ones dull.

That makes perfect sense. An urban/suburban Pale Great Tit, if you will. At different times of year I see more colourful ones perhaps as scarcity makes supplimentary sources more attractive and they come in from a more rural setting. Fields, woods and agriculture are close by.

Maybe there's also a latent genetic propensity in some.

Maybe I should look more carefully at my supplies and the quality and blend of seeds.

Be interesting to know if there is any conferred breeding advantage/disadvantage or any other behavioural or adaptive differences within a mixed colony. I guess we'll never know.

Either way I'm off to chop some salad kebab for the birds as, for once, the blazing sun and working from home have crossed paths.

Many thanks

TM

 

[Themoog]

That's a really good one to remember. Thank you.

If he/she pops back I'll look for that indicator first and report back if it doesn't tally.

All the best

TM

'Great Grey' turned up spot on 6am this morning. Confirmed with single wing bar.

Case closed I think.

Thank you to everyone for all your help.

TM