Crested Tit

Crested Tit
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Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae Genus: Parus Species: cristatus
Binomial name
Parus cristatus

The Crested Tit, Parus cristatus , sometimes Lophophanes caeruleus , is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is a widespread and common resident breeder in coniferous forests throughout central and northern Europe and in deciduous woodland in France and the Iberian peninsula. In Great Britain, it is restricted to the ancient pinewoods of the Spey Valley in Scotland, an area some thirty miles in length and two or three miles wide, and seldom strays far from its haunts. A few vagrant Crested Tits have been met with in England. It is resident, and most birds do not migrate.

It is an easy tit to recognise, for besides its erectile crest, the tip of which is often recurved, its gorget and collar are distinctive. It is, like other tits, talkative, and birds keep up a constant zee, zee, zee, similar to that of the Coal Tit.

It makes a nest in a hole in rotting stumps. This bird often feeds low down in trees, but although not shy, it is not always easily approached. It will join winter tit flocks with other species.

Like other tits, its food is insects, including caterpillars, and seeds.