Coal Tit (Parus ater)

[order] PASSERIFORMES | [family] Paridae | [latin] Parus ater | [UK] Coal Tit | [FR] Mesange noir | [DE] Tannenmeise | [ES] Carbonero Garrapinos | [NL] Zwarte Mees

Subspecies

Physical charateristics

Small, sprightly tit, with short tail, rather fine bill, and apparently small head. Basically olive to slate-grey above and buff blow, has diagnostic combination of black head with white nape and cheek, and two white wing-bars.
Sexes similar, some seasonal variation.

Listen to the sound of Coal Tit

[audio:http://www.aviflevoland.nl/sounddb/C/Coal Tit.mp3]

Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto

Range

Eurasia : widespread

Habitat

Breeds in west Palearctic from boreal through temperate to Mediterranean zones, in continental and oceanic upper and lower latitudes and at all elevations from sea-level to treeline.
Habitat selection closely related to size and morphology, probably adapted to life in conifers, and fine bill for foraging for small food items, especially in conifers.
In large parts of range conifers form almost the entire habitat, usually with preference for spruce. Where this is lacking, almost any other conifers will be accepted, even in mixed forest.

Reproduction

Tends to be later in north than south, but geographical variation dependent more on local climate, especially affected by altitude. Last week of April to last week of May in Finland and Denmark.
Nest site is a hole in tree, tree-stump, rock crevice, wall, or ground. In many habitats commonly or mainly in ground. Holes in ground almost certainly used because of competition wih larger species for higher holes. The nest is a hole which may be enlarged if in rotten wood or ground. Nest-cup of moss, gernerally distinguishable from other Parus as whole nest made of same kind of moss. Lined with hair and wool, often also a few feathers, but feathers never form main lining material.
7-8 eggs incubated for 14-16 days by female alone.

Feeding habits

Adult and larval insects and spiders, plus seeds in autumn and winter. Favourite plant material, seeds of spruce, often unavailable for years at a time when trees bear no cones. Moves along thickly needled branches, hopping, fluttering, and hovering. More so than other west Palearctic Parus, shows great agility when foraging, frequently turning upside-down and hanging from cones or needles. Forages mostly on leaves, needles, and cones in upper parts of large conifers, seldom on thick branches of trunks.

Conservation

This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 10,000,000 km2. It has a large global population, including an estimated 23,000,000-58,000,000 individuals in Europe (BirdLife International in prep.). Global population trends have not been quantified; there is evidence of population fluctuations (Harrap and Quinn 1996), but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Parus ater is a widespread resident across much of Europe, which accounts for less
than half of its global range. Its European breeding population is extremely large
(>12,000,000 pairs), and increased between 1970-1990. Although trends were not
available for key populations in Spain, Italy and Russia during 1990-2000, the species
was stable or increased across most of the rest of Europe?including sizeable
populations in Germany and Romania?and was probably stable overall.

Migration

Sedentary in south and west of range, but eruptive, sometimes in very large numbers, over much of remainder, and in some northern and eastern areas a fairly regular relatively short-distance migrant. Eruptions may involve large part of breeding area, or only isolated populations. Heading chiefly west or south-west, with tendency to avoid long sea crossings. During eruptions, continental birds regularly reach Britain. Timing of eruptive movements fairly similar throughout Europe, from end of August or beginning of September, usually peaking in 2nd half of September and continuing to end of October or beginning of November. Return passage March-May.

Distribution map