The Blue Tit
2025-12-03
The Blue Tit is one of the most common and recognizable garden birds in Europe. It is a frequent visitor to feeders, nest boxes, and shrubs during the winter months and often appears alongside Great Tits.
https://youtube.com/live/ATkrWC24LaY
EN: Blue Tit
NL: Pimpelmees
DE: Blaumeise
Scientific name: Cyanistes caeruleus
Identification
Size: ~11–12 cm
Wingspan: 17–20 cm
Plumage: Blue cap, white cheeks, greenish back, yellow underside
Sex differences: Males and females look nearly identical; sexing is extremely difficult without close, high-quality photos
Juvenile: More yellowish face, duller colors in summer
Habitat
Occurs in:
Gardens
Forest edges
Parks
Orchards
Shrub-rich areas
Winter presence in gardens increases when natural food sources are low.
Diet
Primary foods:
Insects, larvae, spiders
Small caterpillars in spring
Winter additions:
Sunflower seeds
Fat balls and suet
Peanuts
Small seeds
Fruit pieces (apple, pear)
Blue Tits are agile feeders, often hanging upside down to extract food.
Nesting and Breeding
Uses natural cavities and nest boxes (hole size 28 mm ideal)
Builds a moss-based nest lined with feathers
Clutch: 7–13 eggs
Incubation: ~13–15 days (female only)
Fledging: ~18–21 days
Both parents feed the young intensively
They frequently check nest boxes throughout winter as potential roosting sites.
Winter Behavior
Very active and acrobatic around feeders
Often moves in small mixed groups with Great Tits and Coal Tits
Sleeps alone in cavities or dense shrubs
Frequently inspects nest boxes in the evening but usually roosts elsewhere unless extremely cold
Interaction With Nest Boxes
Prefers box entrance of 28 mm
May compete with Great Tits for territory
Often uses nest boxes for early breeding checks
Will not destroy or enlarge holes like woodpeckers; they rely on existing cavities
Daily Behavior
Constant movement; searches branches for insects
Agile climbing and hovering
Curiosity-driven inspection of feeders, cameras, and nest boxes
Small home range but visits reliable food sources daily
Ecological Role
Helps control insect populations (especially caterpillars)
Provides food for predators (sparrowhawks, owls)
Indicator species for healthy garden and forest ecosystems
https://youtube.com/live/ATkrWC24LaY
EN: Blue Tit
NL: Pimpelmees
DE: Blaumeise
Scientific name: Cyanistes caeruleus
Identification
Size: ~11–12 cm
Wingspan: 17–20 cm
Plumage: Blue cap, white cheeks, greenish back, yellow underside
Sex differences: Males and females look nearly identical; sexing is extremely difficult without close, high-quality photos
Juvenile: More yellowish face, duller colors in summer
Habitat
Occurs in:
Gardens
Forest edges
Parks
Orchards
Shrub-rich areas
Winter presence in gardens increases when natural food sources are low.
Diet
Primary foods:
Insects, larvae, spiders
Small caterpillars in spring
Winter additions:
Sunflower seeds
Fat balls and suet
Peanuts
Small seeds
Fruit pieces (apple, pear)
Blue Tits are agile feeders, often hanging upside down to extract food.
Nesting and Breeding
Uses natural cavities and nest boxes (hole size 28 mm ideal)
Builds a moss-based nest lined with feathers
Clutch: 7–13 eggs
Incubation: ~13–15 days (female only)
Fledging: ~18–21 days
Both parents feed the young intensively
They frequently check nest boxes throughout winter as potential roosting sites.
Winter Behavior
Very active and acrobatic around feeders
Often moves in small mixed groups with Great Tits and Coal Tits
Sleeps alone in cavities or dense shrubs
Frequently inspects nest boxes in the evening but usually roosts elsewhere unless extremely cold
Interaction With Nest Boxes
Prefers box entrance of 28 mm
May compete with Great Tits for territory
Often uses nest boxes for early breeding checks
Will not destroy or enlarge holes like woodpeckers; they rely on existing cavities
Daily Behavior
Constant movement; searches branches for insects
Agile climbing and hovering
Curiosity-driven inspection of feeders, cameras, and nest boxes
Small home range but visits reliable food sources daily
Ecological Role
Helps control insect populations (especially caterpillars)
Provides food for predators (sparrowhawks, owls)
Indicator species for healthy garden and forest ecosystems