Coal Tit, Periparus ater.
Family: Paridae.
Length: 11.5cm, Wingspan: 17 to 21cm, Weight: 8 to 10g, Lifespan: 2 to 3 years.
The Coal Tit is widespread and an all year-round resident, of the United Kingdom and Europe, except for Iceland and North Scandinavia. It can also be found across, Western Asia and parts of North Africa.
Coal tits will join other tits in the winter time, forming small flocks. It is a typical tit, being very agile with its acrobatic skill and relentless activities. Will sometimes be mistaken for a Tree Creeper in the way they can cling and move up and down the bark of trees, searching for insects. As with most of the tit family, will tolerate a close presence with humans.
Feeding: For ever searching for insects and spiders, will feed on a variety of seeds and nuts. Will visit feeders frequently and has a particular licking for sunflower seeds, often taking food away to eat, will also take seeds away to store in a hiding place, to eat later.
Nesting: Breeds throughout most of Europe except the far north, preferring coniferous woodlands, well planted gardens and parks with plenty of shrubs and bushes. Will favour to nest in small deep holes in stumps of trees, walls or even in the ground which have been burrows of mice, rats or rabbits. Will line the nest with moss, hair and leaves. the female lays between 7 and 11 eggs between April to June. Just 1 brood a year.
There are sub species of the U.K Coal tit, in North Africa, P.a. ledouci. which has a yellow underside and cheeks.