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Poecile palustris

previously known as Parus palustris

Photo by Adey Baker
Photo taken: Location: Burbage Wood, Leicestershire, UK.

Identification

Large shiny black cap, small black bib. grey brown upperparts, dull buff underneath. Often has pale spot on upper mandible at base of bill as opposed to just pale edges as seen on Willow Tit. Cheek may have clear 'rusty looking' demarkation.

Similar Species

Very similar to Willow Tit.

Distribution

Taxonomy

Until recently, all Tit species were believed to belong to the same genus, Parus. Since then, research results appeared which made it more likely that the correct treatment was to divide the Tit/Chickadee species into several genera; Marsh Tit thereby became a member of the genus Poecile. Black-bibbed Marsh Tit (Poecile hypermelaena) is a recent split from the regular Marsh Tit.

Habitat

Prefers deciduous woodland.

Behaviour

Moss and grass cup in existing hole either in tree or wall. It eats mainly insects in summer, seeds and berries in autumn and winter. Will use feeders. Its voice is a most distinctive sneezing sound.

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