From Opus

Photo by IanF
Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park, Billingham, UK.

Periparus ater

Parus ater

[edit] Identification

L. 10–11.5 cm

[edit] Adult

• Large white nape spot
• Black head
• Glossy blue-black head, throat and neck
• White on sides of face
• Double wingbar
• White underparts with buff to rufous shading on flanks
• Black bill
• Lead colored legs
• Dark brown eyes

[edit] Immature

• Duller than adult
• Black head with no sheen
• White of nape and cheeks tinged with yellow

[edit] Distribution

Resident, but along with Blue Tit is the most mobile tit in autumn, Northern populations in some years moving south in large numbers.

[edit] Taxonomy

A passerine bird in the tit family Paridae, sometimes still referred to as Parus ater

[edit] Habitat

Breeds mainly in conifer woods, often with some taller spruces; locally also in pine or mixed forest.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Diet

Forages (for seeds, insects, spiders) much in top of trees and in outer branches.

[edit] Breeding

Nests in hole, sometimes among tree roots or in rock crevice.

[edit] External Links