(Picture of Japanese Tit. References updated) |
(split of Japanese and Cinereous Tit, lump of Turkestan Tit.) |
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[[Image:GreatTit.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Clarke+Robinson|Clarke Robinson}}<br>Photographed: [[London]], [[England]]]] | [[Image:GreatTit.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Clarke+Robinson|Clarke Robinson}}<br>Photographed: [[London]], [[England]]]] | ||
;[[:Category:Parus|Parus]] major | ;[[:Category:Parus|Parus]] major | ||
| − | '''Includes: | + | '''Includes: Turkestan Tit''' |
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
The largest European tit - yellow and green with a glossy black head and white cheeks. | The largest European tit - yellow and green with a glossy black head and white cheeks. | ||
====Similar Species==== | ====Similar Species==== | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Turketstantit.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Turkestan Tit<br />Photo by Askar Isabekov<br />Locality: Kazakhstan Shelek (Chilik), Enbekshikazakh region, Alma Ata oblast.]] |
The occasional bird is much greyer than the typical one, and needs to be compared carefully to [[Coal Tit]] which has two wing bars, different shape to the white spot on rear head/nape, and looks larger headed. | The occasional bird is much greyer than the typical one, and needs to be compared carefully to [[Coal Tit]] which has two wing bars, different shape to the white spot on rear head/nape, and looks larger headed. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | [[Europe]] and north [[Africa]] through | + | [[Europe]] and north [[Africa]] through central [[Asia]] to western [[China]]. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Polytypic. | + | Polytypic. [[Cinereous Tit]] and [[Japanese Tit]] were formerly included in this species. Turkestan Tit (''bokharensis'', ''ferghanensis'' and ''turkestanicus'') was formerly considered a full species. |
====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>==== | ====Subspecies<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>==== | ||
'''Great Tit'''<br /> | '''Great Tit'''<br /> | ||
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*''P. m. blanfordi'' (karelini): Northern [[Iraq]] and [[Iran]] | *''P. m. blanfordi'' (karelini): Northern [[Iraq]] and [[Iran]] | ||
*''P. m. intermedius'': North-eastern [[Iran]] and adjacent south-western [[Turkmenistan]] | *''P. m. intermedius'': North-eastern [[Iran]] and adjacent south-western [[Turkmenistan]] | ||
| − | + | *''P. m. bokharensis'': [[Russia]] to Tien Shan and Karatau mts. and north-western [[Afghanistan]] | |
| − | *''P. m. | + | *''P. m. ferghanensis'': Southern Kirgiz and western Tien Shan mts. to western Pamirs and Turkestan |
| − | *''P. m. | + | *''P. m. turkestanicus'': Lake Balkhash to western [[China]] (Xinjiang) and south-western [[Mongolia]] |
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| − | *''P. m. | ||
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==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Parks, woodlands and gardens all over Europe | Parks, woodlands and gardens all over Europe | ||
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''[[Media:Parus major (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ''[[Media:Parus major (song).mp3|Listen in an external program]]'' | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug13}}#Avibase |
#Bird Watching | #Bird Watching | ||
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
Revision as of 16:59, 6 September 2013
- Parus major
Includes: Turkestan Tit
Identification
The largest European tit - yellow and green with a glossy black head and white cheeks.
Similar Species
The occasional bird is much greyer than the typical one, and needs to be compared carefully to Coal Tit which has two wing bars, different shape to the white spot on rear head/nape, and looks larger headed.
Distribution
Europe and north Africa through central Asia to western China.
Taxonomy
Polytypic. Cinereous Tit and Japanese Tit were formerly included in this species. Turkestan Tit (bokharensis, ferghanensis and turkestanicus) was formerly considered a full species.
Subspecies[1]
Great Tit
- P. m. newtoni: in the British Isles
- P. m. major: Europe to north-western Iran, Siberia, Lake Baikal, Altai and Sayan mountains
- P. m. kapustini: North-western China (north-western Xinjiang) to Mongolia and eastern Siberia
- P. m. corsus: Iberian Peninsula and Corsica
- P. m. mallorcae: Balearic Islands
- P. m. ecki: Sardinia
- P. m. excelsus: North-western Africa (Morocco to Tunisia)
- P. m. aphrodite: Southern Italy, Sicily, southern Greece, Mediterranean islands and Cyprus
- P. m. niethammeri: Crete
- P. m. terraesanctae: North-western Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan
- P. m. blanfordi (karelini): Northern Iraq and Iran
- P. m. intermedius: North-eastern Iran and adjacent south-western Turkmenistan
- P. m. bokharensis: Russia to Tien Shan and Karatau mts. and north-western Afghanistan
- P. m. ferghanensis: Southern Kirgiz and western Tien Shan mts. to western Pamirs and Turkestan
- P. m. turkestanicus: Lake Balkhash to western China (Xinjiang) and south-western Mongolia
Habitat
Parks, woodlands and gardens all over Europe
Behaviour
A woodland bird but nowadays a garden bird. Sometimes aggressive, fighting with other tits. In winter together with Blue Tits and other species
Frequent visitor to birdtables and seed-dispensers, thus well known. Bold, at times plain audacious, may take seed from outstretched hand
Breeding
Breeds in all kinds of woodland (incl. in desolate taiga in far north) and in immediate proximity of man in parks and gardens.
Nests in roomy nestbox, tree-hole (e.g. decayed fruit tree), air duct and even letterbox. The clutch consists of 5-12 white eggs spotted reddish-brown which are incubated for around 2 weeks. The young fledge at around 16-22 days.
There may be a second brood if there is plenty of food. The breeding season runs between April to August in the UK.
Diet
Insects and seeds, suet, beech nuts etc.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Parus major (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avibase
- Bird Watching
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Great Tit. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 5 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Great_Tit
External Links
