Marsh Tit - Poecile palustris

The Marsh Tit is smart, clean looking bird with a small, well defined black bib and glossy black cap.  It is very similar to Willow Tit (Parus montanus) but the latter has a larger bib, less glossy black cap and a pale wing panel.

The adult Marsh Tit differs from the similar Willow Tit by the lack of a white wing panel (formed by the edges of the secondaries on Willow Tit). It also has a glossier cap, larger bib and a more "bull-necked" appearance.  The Marsh Tit also has a small white mark at the base of the upper mandible.

Found largely in deciduous woodland, also copses, parks and gardens, but it is quite scarce in urban areas. When feeding it ranges from between the upper canopy to lower undergrowth.

All year round. As with so many woodland birds, its call is the best way of locating it.

It feeds acrobatically on insects and seeds and will hoard food if it finds a good supply.

Occurs across England and Wales, with a few in southern Scotland. It is most abundant in South Wales and southern and eastern England.

Fairly common resident breeder in Leicestershire and Rutland.