Guide to the
Great Tit

Our Great Tit bird guide will help you get better acquainted with the largest of the UK Tit species. You’ll find them in woodlands, parks and gardens, and they’re known for feeding on insects and spiders, but are just as happy with regular bird seed and nuts. Although they look charming, don’t be fooled. You’ll find that Great Tits aren’t best pleased about sharing the bird table!

According to Garden BirdWatch data, which has been collected since 1995, they are most frequently seen in gardens in December, in around 80% of gardens. Great Tit numbers in gardens have remained fairly constant since Garden BirdWatch began. They seem to benefit from mild weather conditions. Supplementary food in gardens is also thought to have had a positive effect on their population.

Great Tits have bright white cheeks contrasting with a black head. They have bright yellow bellies, blue and green upperparts with creamy wing bars. Juveniles have yellow ‘wash’ over all their plumage; the cheeks are yellow rather than white, the blue of the wings is greenish. Adult males and females can told apart by the width of the black stripe that runs down the centre of the chest; in females this tapers off towards the belly, while in males it broadens to a wide black patch between the legs.

Great Tits have a large variety of calls but the most familiar is a two syllable song that is often remembered as: ‘Teacher, Teacher.’

Mainly Sparrowhawks.

Invertebrates (especially caterpillars) and spiders; in winter, seeds and fruits are also taken.

According to statistics from 2016, there were 2.2 million pairs of Great Tits in Britain and 2.4 pairs of Great Tits in the UK.

Great Tits typically live for around three years. However, the current longevity record for this species is 13 years and 11 months.

According to Garden BirdWatch data, which has been collected since 1995, they are most frequently seen in gardens in December, in around 80% of gardens.