The Great Tit is the largest of the UK Tit family. The black stripe on the belly of a male Great Tit is an indicator of its status; larger stripes are more attractive to females and the female has a much narrower stripe. It is a woodland bird which has readily adapted to man-made habitats to become a familiar garden visitor. It can be quite aggressive at the bird table.
In winter they often flock together with other Tits flying through woodlands and gardens in search of food. Great Tits are cavity nesters, breeding in a hole that is usually inside a tree, although occasionally in a wall, or rock face, and they will readily take to nest boxes. Generally they stay resident in Britain, but in some autumns British numbers swell with an influx from northern areas.
Length
14 cm Wingspan 24 cm Weight 18 g
Status in UK
Resident Breeder, Winter Visitor
Number in Britain
4 million
Habitat
Forest, woodland, towns, mangrove
Diet
Invertebrates mainly, butterflies, beetles, and spiders, seeds and fruit
First Record
8th Century
Incubation
13 - 15 days
Maximum Recorded Age
13 years, 11 months
Egg Size
18 x 14 mm Egg Weight 1.7 g ~ Clutch Size 7 - 9 eggs
Fledging
18 - 21 days
First Clutches Laid
26 Apr (10 Apr - 17 May)
Conservation Status in UK
GREEN
Age at First Breeding
1 year
Number of Broods
1-2
Typical Lifespan
3 years