Coal Tit Facts (Periparus Ater)

Size: 11.5 cm head to tail

Weight: 8 – 10g

Wingspan: 17 – 21 cm

Eggs: 7 – 12 per brood

Food: Insects, seeds and nuts - Spring/Summer Feeder Mix, Autumn/Winter Feeder Mix

Nesting: Nests made from moss, wool and spiders’ webs in a cup shape and lined with moss

Population: Stable

Song: A repetitive "pee-chew".

The Coal Tit is less colourful than other tits and appears to have a large head for its body giving it unique character. Its Latin name is Periparus Ater and is part of the Paridae family, also known as the Tit family.

Coal Tits are distributed in all counties around the UK and Ireland. During winter, they join up with other tit species to form flocks in search for food together. Like the Blue Tit the Coal Tit has been known to hang upside down on branches in search of food and for entertainment.

Appearance

Coal Tits have grey underparts with a black bib and crown, their cheeks and nape are white. They also have two white wing bars on each wing which separates them from other similar tits. The Coal Tit isn’t as colourful as some of its relatives but the Coal Tit is distinctive due to the white patch at the back of its neck. It’s smaller, thinner bill means it can feed more successfully on pine trees. Juveniles have browner backs and the breast, cheeks and wing bars are more yellow than white.

Where they are found and what they like to eat

They are found all year round in woodland, parks and gardens. They prefer conifers, pines, spruce, woodlands, parks, gardens and farmland. Coal Tits love peanuts, insects, seeds and mealworms. These birds take and store food for later for when times are tough, but they normally forget where they stored it so are always in search of food despite their storage habit. We offer a range of feeder mixes which these birds enjoy, these birds aren’t fussy eaters so why not have a go at our mix your own and see which foods your Coal Tits prefer!

Breeding

Breeding season begins in mid-April for the Coal Tit. They have between 1 - 2 broods per year, its estimated that there are around 760,000 Coal Tit breeding territories in the UK. This species have between 7 - 12 eggs per brood which are smooth, glossy and white with red speckles. The eggs are on average 15 mm by 12 mm.

The female incubates the eggs by herself for 14 – 16 days. After the eggs have hatched the chicks are fed by both adults for 16 – 19 days until the young fledge the nest. Coal Tits live up to around 2 years in flocks not far from where they hatch.

Nesting and Territory

Coal Tits nest in tree hollows or in mouse holes. The nest is made from moss, wool and spiders’ webs in a cup shape and lined with moss. Coal Tits like man made nest boxes facing North/East which will stop the nest from overheating by protecting it from direct sun light. These birds aren’t very territorial unless there is a shortage of food and then they will defend their feeding territory.

Extra Information

Harsh winters and insufficient amounts of food can lead to the death of many of these birds, but warmer winters and increased garden feeding have helped the population of Coal Tits increase in recent years.