- Lifespan
- 4–5 years in the wild
- Size & Weight
- 8–9 cm, wingspan 13–15 cm; 5–7 g
- Habitat
- Coniferous and mixed woodland, particularly spruce and fir plantations, as well as parks and gardens with mature conifers.
- UK Distribution
- Found mainly in southern England, particularly the New Forest and Sussex, with increasing numbers in winter; primarily a winter visitor and passage migrant, though small numbers now breed in southern England.
- Diet
- Small insects and spiders, gleaned from foliage and bark; also feeds on small seeds in winter.
- Prey
- Aphids, scale insects, small spiders, and tiny arthropods
- Predators
- Sparrowhawks, other raptors, and occasionally larger birds; vulnerable to predation during harsh winters
- Mating Season
- April to June
- Breeding
- Clutch size 7–10 eggs; incubation period 14–15 days; typically one or two broods per year; nests in small cup-shaped structures high in conifers
- Behaviour
- Extremely active and acrobatic, often hanging upside down while foraging in conifer foliage. Highly vocal with a distinctive song and calls. Often seen in loose flocks in winter, sometimes mixing with Goldcrests.