Great Tit
Parus major
Conservation Status
Least ConcernAves · Passeriformes · Paridae
About
The great tit is a small passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is widespread and common throughout Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and as far east as the Amur River. It also occurs in parts of North Africa where it is generally resident in any sort of woodland. Most great tits do not migrate, except in extremely harsh winters. Until 2005 this species was lumped with numerous other subspecies. However, DNA studies have revealed that these subspecies are distinct from the great tit, and they have now been classified as two distinct species, the cinereous tit of southern Asia, and the Japanese tit of East Asia. The great tit remains the most widespread species in the genus Parus.
Fun Fact
Great tits in Britain learned to pierce the foil caps of milk bottles to drink cream in the 1920s — the behaviour spread across the country in a textbook example of cultural transmission in birds.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Woodlands and gardens
Diet
Insectivore
Lifespan
2-3 years
Threats
- Habitat Fragmentation
- Deforestation