Marsh Tit
Poecile palustris
The Marsh Tit is a small, inconspicuous bird that can be found in Britain's wet woodlands and marshy areas, particularly during the winter months. It is a relatively rare sighting in Britain, but can be spotted in certain regions, especially in the south and east.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Marsh Tit in the field.
The Marsh Tit can be identified by its black crown and nape, pale cheeks, and brown back, with greyish-brown wings and tail. Its distinctive head pattern and brown upperparts are key features to look out for.
The Marsh Tit is smaller than a Starling, measuring around 12 cm in length, and is comparable in size to a Blue Tit.
The male Marsh Tit has a black crown and nape, pale cheeks, and a brown back with greyish-brown wings and tail, with no significant seasonal variation in its plumage.
The female Marsh Tit has similar plumage to the male, with no notable differences.
The Marsh Tit's call is a sharp, nasal "pit" or "pet" sound, often repeated in a series, while its song is a series of high-pitched notes.
Marsh Tits are active, acrobatic birds that forage for insects and seeds in trees and shrubs, often climbing up and down trunks in search of food, and can be seen flying between trees with a rapid, fluttering motion.
The Marsh Tit can be confused with the Willow Tit, but can be distinguished by its more southerly distribution, paler cheeks, and less distinctive white eyebrow stripe, as well as its different call and song.
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