Eurasian Blue Tit

Other names
Often known simply as "blue tit"

Description
Blue Tits have a distinctive blue crown edged with white, and a narrow black stripe through each eye; cheeks are white. Underparts are yellow, and the back is greyish-green. The wings are blue with a white wingbar. The tail is also blue.

Sexes similar but females are duller.

Young are similar but with yellow cheeks instead of white.

Behaviour
A common visitor to British bird tables. They are active and lively by nature. They are well-adapted to garden life, as they will accept nest boxes and peanuts.

Diet
They are welcomed by gardeners because they eat aphids. Their small size allows them to hop up the stems of plants and hang upside down while seeking the pests They also feed on peanuts.

Reproduction
They readily adopt nest boxes supplied to them. Their nestlings leave the nest before they can fly, and are vulnerable to predators such as cats.