Great Tits: A Guide for Young Wildlife Enthusiasts
Introduction
Great tits are fascinating birds that are a common sight in gardens and woodlands. They are the largest of the tit family in North America, and they have a distinctive black head with white cheeks, a green-yellow breast and belly, and a black stripe running down the center. Male great tits have a broader black stripe than females, which is a sign of status and indicates that he will be a good father.
Habitat and Diet
Great tits are woodland birds, but they have adapted well to garden habitats. They nest in holes in trees, and they eat a variety of foods, including insects, seeds, and nuts. During nesting season, they feed their chicks mainly caterpillars and other juicy insects, which provide them with essential protein and moisture.
Nesting and Breeding
Great tits typically mate in April or May, and the female lays up to nine eggs. Both parents feed the chicks, and the chicks fledge (leave the nest) after two to three weeks. In winter, great tits join other tits to form roaming flocks that search for food together.
How to Help Great Tits
There are several things that gardeners and wildlife enthusiasts can do to help great tits and other birds.
Provide Natural Food Sources
The best way to help great tits is to provide them with natural food sources. Caterpillars are their primary food source during nesting season, so it is important to grow caterpillar food plants in your garden. These plants include native shrubs like hawthorn, hazel, and ivy, as well as so-called “weeds” like dandelions, nettles, docks, and grasses.
Water Your Plants
Watering your plants, even the ones that are considered weeds, can help to keep supplies of natural food alive for great tits and other birds. Caterpillars and other insects need moisture to survive, so watering your plants can help to ensure that there is a steady supply of food for them.
Provide Supplementary Food
In addition to providing natural food sources, you can also provide supplementary food for great tits. This is especially important during the winter months when natural food sources are scarce. You can offer seedheads, hanging feeders, and dried mealworms in a dish of water.
Hang Bird Boxes
Hanging bird boxes in your garden can encourage great tits to nest. Place the bird boxes 2-4 meters off the ground in a north-easterly direction.
Keep Bird Baths Clean
Keeping bird baths clean and topped up is essential for providing great tits and other birds with fresh water. Birds need water to drink and bathe, so it is important to make sure that there is always a supply of clean water available.
Conclusion
Great tits are beautiful and fascinating birds that can bring joy to any garden. By providing them with natural food sources, supplementary food, and nesting boxes, you can help them to thrive and enjoy their presence in your garden for years to come.
