- Periparus ater
Identification
The Coal Tit is 10–11.5 cm in length, and has a distinctive large white nape spot on its black head. The head, throat and neck of the adult are glossy blue-black, setting off the white on the nape and sides of the face; the white tips of the coverts show as a double wingbar. The underparts are white shading through buff to rufous on the flanks. The bill is black, the legs lead-coloured and irides dark brown.
The young bird is duller than the adult, the black head having no sheen, and the white of the nape and cheeks is tinged with yellow.
Distribution
Resident, but along with Blue Tit is the most mobile tit in autumn, N populations in some years moving south in large numbers.
Taxonomy
Periparus ater (often still Parus ater), is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae.
Habitat
Breeds mainly in conifer woods, often with some taller spruces; locally also in pine or mixed forest.
Behaviour
Forages (for seeds, insects, spiders) much in top of trees and in outer branches. Nests in hole, sometimes among tree roots or in rock crevice.
