Marsh Tit

The Marsh Tit is a small Eurasian tit measuring around 12 centimetres and weighing about 12 grams. It has a black crown and nape, pale cheeks, a brown back, and grey-brown wings and tail. Its similarity to the Willow Tit makes identification difficult where their ranges overlap; the two were not recognised as separate species in Britain until the late nineteenth century. The Marsh Tit belongs to Poecile, alongside several other brown-backed tits of Eurasia. (Wikipedia, Marsh Tit account)

Across its range the Marsh Tit occurs through temperate Europe and northern Asia. Despite its English name, it is not confined to wetlands and also occupies dry woodland. It eats both animal and plant food, including caterpillars, spiders, and seeds. Nesting takes place in a tree hole: the bird selects an existing hollow and may enlarge it instead of excavating a complete cavity from sound wood. A breeding attempt contains five to nine eggs, providing a useful distinction from observations of feeding birds alone. (Wikipedia, Marsh Tit account)