Wildlifeof Bhutan
Coal Tit
Tits, Nuthatches & Treecreepers
Photo: Didier Descouens · CC BY-SA 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Periparus ater
Basic stats
Diet
Visits gardens for varied foods, particularly sunflower seeds
Habitat
Forests; in Bhutan, forests of Bhutan fir, Himalayan hemlock and rhododendron at about 3,000–3,800m
Range
Forests throughout the temperate to subtropical Palearctic, including North Africa
Clutch size
7–11 red-spotted white eggs, usually laid in May
Size
10–11.5cm
The coal tit is a widespread and common resident breeder in forests throughout the temperate to subtropical Palearctic, including North Africa. It is 10 to 11.5cm long, with a glossy blue-black head, throat and neck, off-white sides to the face and a striking white nape spot, and white wing-covert tips forming two wingbars. The bill is black, the legs lead-coloured and the eye dark brown (Wikipedia, general species account).
In Bhutan coal tits are fairly common residents above the subtropical zone, at around 3,000 to 3,800m, in forests dominated by Bhutan fir, Himalayan hemlock and rhododendron. Flocks keep in contact with incessant short 'dee' or 'see-see' calls, and the song is a strident 'if-he, if-he'. Seven to eleven eggs are usually laid in May, and it typically breeds once a year.
Quick answers
- What does the Coal Tit eat?
- Visits gardens for varied foods, particularly sunflower seeds
- What habitat does the Coal Tit live in?
- Forests; in Bhutan, forests of Bhutan fir, Himalayan hemlock and rhododendron at about 3,000–3,800m
- Where is the Coal Tit found?
- Forests throughout the temperate to subtropical Palearctic, including North Africa
- How many eggs does the Coal Tit lay?
- 7–11 red-spotted white eggs, usually laid in May
- How big is the Coal Tit?
- 10–11.5cm