Atlantic Puffin- Clown of the sea.

Hello everyone. Today I'm going to talk about the popular, cheerful and human-friendly garden bird. The Great Tit. There are multiple subspecies of this bird, but I am only focusing on the Great Tit in this video. Appearance. The Great Tits are large, in comparison with other titbirds. They measure around 12.5 to 14 centimeters, that is about 4.9 to 5.5 inches in length. And have a distinctive appearance that makes them easy to recognize. Great Tits are sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females have different physical characteristics. Male Great Tits display a lavish bright wardrobe, to impress their potential mates. That means, males typically have brighter and bolder plumage than females. These birds have a distinctive color pattern, dressed in a tuxedo-like black head and beautiful white cheeks, a greenish back, and a yellow breast. Both males and females have a black midline strips, but in females and juveniles the midline stripe is narrower and sometimes discontinuous. The midstripe line is the easiest way to tell if the bird is a male or female. Young Great Tits have faded or dull colors and yellowish beaks. Habitat. As the map shows, Great Tits are widespread and common species throughout Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and parts of North Africa. Most Great Tits live in the same place all year around and do not migrate except in extremely harsh winters. Great Tits are highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, parks, gardens, and urban areas. Their adaptability allowed them to thrive in human-dominated landscapes, enchanting city dwellers with their delightful melodies. Behavior. Beyond their striking appearance, Great Tits are also known to exhibit complex behaviors. They are recognized as beings of astonishing intelligence. Their curious minds ventured beyond the realms of mere survival, exploring the mysteries of their world. Scientists observed their remarkable problem-solving skills and ability to learn through associations, revealing the depth of their avian cognition. The Great Tits, like other tits, are very vocal birds and have up to 40 types of calls and mellifluous songs. The calls are generally the same for both males and females, but the males are much more vocal and the females rarely call. Diet. Great Tits are primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide range of insects and their larvae. The birds also enjoy the sweet delights of berries, seeds, and even occasionally feast on small vertebrates. They have mastered the art of foraging, displaying remarkable dexterity as they hung upside down to extract hidden treasures from branches and twigs. Feeding Behavior. Just like Blue Tits, the Great Tits have a distinctive feeding techniques. One is called the hammering technique. The bird usually holds a seed tight with its feet and breaks it with its beak by hammering it. The other technique is called hanging upside down. They can hang from twigs or branches and reach for insects hiding on the underside of leaves or in crevices. They also visit bird feeders, where they consume seeds, and other offerings such as fruits and nuts. I offer them a healthy mix of seeds, nuts and sometimes apples to enjoy together with my other garden birds, during the cold months of the year. Nesting and Breeding. Great Tits are cavity nesters, often utilizing tree holes for nesting. But they are also known to use nest boxes and crevices in buildings. Great Tits are monogamous breeders and establish breeding territories. The territories are usually reoccupied in successive years, even if one of the pair dies, so long as the brood is raised successfully. In Europe, the breeding season usually begins after March. The female Great Tit, is the architect of the family, she carefully constructs the nest, from cozy moss, leaves and feathers. She lays a clutch of 6 to 12 eggs, which takes about around 14 days to hatch. With dedication, the female patiently incubated her treasures, warming the little eggs with care. While, the male Great Tit stays in guard, his vibrant plumage serving as a striking symbol of protection and vigilance. Both parents contribute to nurturing and caring for the adorable hatchlings and ensuring their well-being. Predators and Threats. As usual, predators and threats are my least favorite subjects. Great Tits face predation from birds of prey, adult birds are hunted by Sparrowhawks, as well as cats and other mammals. Please don't invite any birds of prey to your garden, or they'll wipe out the small birds. Also, be mindful where you place the bird feeders, keep them away from bushes or places where cats can hide and hunt from. Ideally place them in a very open place, high up where it's difficult for cats to jump at. Nest predators, the nests may be raided by squirrels, woodpeckers, weasels and can get infested with fleas. Hope you enjoyed the video, if you have any questions or, would like me to talk about other birds, please write a comment. Also, let me know in the comments what kind of birds you can see in your garden. Until next time. Have a beautiful day.