web camera image captured by Lispet, LK forum
Translation: Liis
Great tit and marsh tit
At least a hundred thousand birds is an estimate of their winter numbers. In addition to the sedentary birds young birds from the north and east will have migrated here, and in some years they can increase the winter numbers significantly.
Marsh tits are in the same weight category as blue tits – around 10 grams, maybe a little more.
The plumage of marsh tits is wolf grey, wings (in winter) uniformly brownish. A big head and strong neck, on the head a glossy black beret covering the eyes and a small ”beard” of the same colour, eyes brown, little beak black, cheeks white and legs greyish blue. Both sexes have a similar plumage.
Looking at the overall numbers of marsh tits they should be seen quite often in camera view – the bird feeder however is only visited by a few birds. We have to do with tits that are very true to their habitat and have a very small activity area. Some spend their entire life near their birthplace, in broadleaf or mixed forests. Thus they occur almost everywhere but in small numbers.
Visiting the birdfeeder they wait patiently in some nearby shrub or tree for their turn or that the traffic becomes more sparse. Often the procured seeds are hidden somewhere to be in store. Marsh tits are more of herbivores than other tits.
About the confusingly similar willow tit in the next few days.
Marsh tit observations:
LINK
Photo: Arne Ader
Marsh tit