(split of Japanese and Cinereous Tit, lump of Turkestan Tit.) |
(Picture of juveniles. ID expanded. References udated) |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
'''Includes: Turkestan Tit''' | '''Includes: Turkestan Tit''' | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | 12·5–14 cm; the largest European tit | |
| + | *Yellow and green | ||
| + | *Glossy black head | ||
| + | *White cheeks | ||
| + | *Vertical black stripe on chest (broader on male) | ||
| + | [[Image:Turketstantit.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Turkestan Tit<br />Photo by Askar Isabekov<br />Locality: Kazakhstan Shelek (Chilik), Enbekshikazakh region, Alma Ata oblast.]] | ||
| + | '''Juvenile''': cheeks are yellowish | ||
====Similar Species==== | ====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. | 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 central [[Asia]] to western [[China]]. | [[Europe]] and north [[Africa]] through central [[Asia]] to western [[China]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | + | [[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==== |
| − | + | [[Image:DSC 01964.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juveniles<br />Photo by {{user|Chocky|Chocky}}<br />[[Devon]], [[UK]], May 2014 ]] | |
| + | This is a [[Dictionary_M-S#P|polytipic]] species <sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> consisting of 15 subspecies: | ||
*''P. m. newtoni'': in the [[British Isles]] | *''P. m. newtoni'': in the [[British Isles]] | ||
*''P. m. major'': [[Europe]] to north-western [[Iran]], [[Siberia]], Lake Baikal, Altai and Sayan mountains | *''P. m. major'': [[Europe]] to north-western [[Iran]], [[Siberia]], Lake Baikal, Altai and Sayan mountains | ||
| Line 32: | Line 38: | ||
Parks, woodlands and gardens all over Europe | Parks, woodlands and gardens all over Europe | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | A woodland bird but nowadays a garden bird. Sometimes aggressive, fighting with other tits. In winter | + | A woodland bird but nowadays a garden bird. Sometimes aggressive, fighting with other tits. In winter forms mixed feeding flocks with [[Blue Tit]], [[Coal Tit]]. [[Eurasian Treecreeper]] and other species |
| − | Frequent visitor to birdtables and seed-dispensers, thus well known. Bold, at times plain audacious, may take seed from outstretched hand | + | Frequent visitor to birdtables and seed-dispensers, thus well known. Bold, at times plain audacious, may take seed from outstretched hand. |
| + | ====Diet==== | ||
| + | Insects and seeds, suet, beech nuts etc. | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
Breeds in all kinds of woodland (incl. in desolate taiga in far north) and in immediate proximity of man in parks and gardens. | Breeds in all kinds of woodland (incl. in desolate taiga in far north) and in immediate proximity of man in parks and gardens. | ||
| Line 41: | Line 49: | ||
There may be a second brood if there is plenty of food. The breeding season runs between April to August in the [[UK]]. | There may be a second brood if there is plenty of food. The breeding season runs between April to August in the [[UK]]. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
====Vocalisation==== | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
<flashmp3>Parus major (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | <flashmp3>Parus major (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | ||
| Line 49: | Line 55: | ||
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug13}}#Avibase | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug13}}#Avibase | ||
#Bird Watching | #Bird Watching | ||
| + | #Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved August 2014) | ||
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
Revision as of 19:34, 8 August 2014
- Parus major
Includes: Turkestan Tit
Identification
12·5–14 cm; the largest European tit
- Yellow and green
- Glossy black head
- White cheeks
- Vertical black stripe on chest (broader on male)
Juvenile: cheeks are yellowish
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
Cinereous Tit and Japanese Tit were formerly included in this species. Turkestan Tit (bokharensis, ferghanensis and turkestanicus) was formerly considered a full species.
Subspecies
This is a polytipic species [1] consisting of 15 subspecies:
- 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 forms mixed feeding flocks with Blue Tit, Coal Tit. Eurasian Treecreeper and other species
Frequent visitor to birdtables and seed-dispensers, thus well known. Bold, at times plain audacious, may take seed from outstretched hand.
Diet
Insects and seeds, suet, beech nuts etc.
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.
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
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved August 2014)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Great Tit. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 4 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Great_Tit
External Links
