The coal tit is the smallest of the British tits, and one of the drabbest. His head markings are somewhat similar to the great tit, with a black crown and bib, and white cheeks, but he's much smaller, more the size of a blue tit - and he's as busy - but....
...his most distinctive marking is a white patch on the top of his head, though the two spotted bars on his wings are also characteristic.
They weren't common round here. For a long time we didn't see one but, last winter, we had a pair occasionally visiting the nut feeders. With the coming of spring they seemed to disappear, but by May several pairs were in the garden, feeding almost in frenzy, carrying away stuffed mouthfuls of food - presumably to chicks they were raising.
For their size, they're very much a 'no nonsense' bird, almost as aggressive as the siskins. This coal tit wasn't going to be moved from the feeder by a goldfinch twice his size.
By July they were visiting us less frequently, presumably because they had rid themselves of their ravenous young. But we do hope they stay.
No comments:
Post a Comment