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Coal Tit · Field Guide · Things With Wings

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Coal Tit

Periparus ater

Not yet photographed by the community

Small tit favouring conifer woodland; white nape patch.

Species Profile

Green List (not of conservation concern)

Lifespan: 2–3 years in the wild, occasionally up to 10 years
Size & Weight: 11–12 cm, wingspan 17–21 cm; 7–12 g
Habitat: Coniferous and mixed woodlands, parks, gardens, and hedgerows with scattered trees throughout the UK.
UK Distribution: Resident throughout the UK year-round, with numbers augmented by continental migrants in autumn and winter.
Diet: Insects, spiders, and their larvae during breeding season; seeds from conifers, ash, and sunflowers in winter; also takes nuts at feeders.
Prey: Insects, spiders, and small caterpillars; seeds and nuts
Predators: Sparrowhawks, Eurasian jays, and domestic cats; eggs and chicks vulnerable to woodpeckers and corvids.
Mating Season: March to August
Breeding: Two broods per year; clutch size 8–10 eggs; incubation period 14 days; fledging period 16–17 days.
Behaviour: Highly acrobatic forager, often hanging upside-down on twigs and branches. Social and often seen in mixed-species winter feeding flocks with other tit species. Males and females form lasting pair bonds and participate in territorial defence.

Sources and editorial status

The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.

Profile generated 22 June 2026

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