Message to ornithologists and bird watchers, do you know the crested tit? If his name means nothing to you, his appearance is rarely forgotten. And rightly so, this bird has the merit of surprising us with its little rock’n’roll look. Discovery.
The crested tit: a punkish songbird
To see it, open your eyes wide! Yes, the crested tit (Lophophanes cristatus) measures no more than 12 cm and weighs only about ten grams. It is recognizable by its long wavy crest of white and black color. Its throat is black and its white cheeks are marked with a black comma surrounded by a white collar. The rest of his body is brown.
But beware of his appearance! If the crested tit does not impose its small size, it shines with its song. Indeed, its high-pitched cries and early chatter make it so special. In short, a real punk look. [1]
Where to observe the crested tit?
The good news that should surprise you is that the crested tit can be observed in almost all of Europe (Spain, Greece, Scotland…). In France, it is found almost everywhere on the territory, except Corsica. Although it is often in our parks and gardens, it is especially in the mountain ranges (up to about 2500 meters above sea level), the plains, the coast, the forests that you are most lucky to cross his path. In addition, this sparrow likes to hide in old trees, such as pines and pines.
How does the crested tit live?
The crested tit is a sedentary species that only moves for a few kilometers. So it is not a migratory bird. When the breeding season comes, the female only digs her nest. She builds it with other organic waste that occurs in nature: moss, grass, hair, feathers and wool.
In terms of food, the crested tit feeds mainly on insects and spiders in the summer and on seeds outside the breeding season. So don’t hesitate to place a feeder in your garden and make fat balls.
Did you like this article? To continue, we invite you to discover Sophie’s Mee, a beautiful songbird with rainbow feathers.