Marsh or willow tit (1 Viewer)

[David_]

Hello,

in field I usually determine marsh or willow by combination of call/song and general jizz. But this one was silent and I had difficulties coming to a definitive ID.
What do you think? Marsh or willow?
Pictures taking on April 8th 2021 at a small pond next to golf course in Düsseldorf, Germany.

 

[PaulCountyDurham]

Hello,

in field I usually determine marsh or willow by combination of call/song and general jizz. But this one was silent and I had difficulties coming to a definitive ID.
What do you think? Marsh or willow?
Pictures taking on April 8th 2021 at a small pond next to golf course in Düsseldorf, Germany.

View attachment 1394221View attachment 1394222View attachment 1394223View attachment 1394224View attachment 1394225View attachment 1394226View attachment 1394227

I'd say marsh tit. Months back I was taking pictures of a lot of marsh tits and to my eye there were slight differences in/between these birds, and I was chasing my tail analysing these differences assuming they could mean willow tit when in fact they were all marsh tits. When I did have a willow tit through my lens, it was obvious the bird was not a marsh tit: no analysing perceived slight differences needed. The willow tit is a not as smart and dapper as the marsh tit, and there is a noticeable difference in shape around the head. 'Looks too smart to be a willow tit to me, and more the shape of a marsh tit.

For comparison purposes, here is a picture of a willow tit taken months back. Leaving bill markings aside, this bird just looks noticeably different to marsh tits.

 

[ignicapilla]

A feature that makes marsh tits and willow tits easier to differentiate is this brown line towards the back of the "cheek" visible in marsh tit, while a willow tit would have its entire cheek white (like the one in the image sent by Paul).

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Image ending 411 clearly shows a pale base to the cutting edge of the lower mandible, Marsh tit it is. Worth looking up the Broughton paper if you haven't already read it.

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello David,
your bird has already been identified, I just wanted to add, that the brownish, comma-shaped line across the cheeks, mentioned by theexpert, can clearly be seen in your last picture.

 

[David_]

Thanks everyone, especially for not only identifying this bird but also giving me me information about what to look for future IDs.

Worth looking up the Broughton paper if you haven't already read it.

Didn‘t know that paper. Looks excellent. Thank you!