Distribution difference
Which is more common, the blue tit or the great tit
Which is bigger, the blue tit or the great tit?
Other Differences Between Blue Tit and Great Tit
Female blue tit vs female great tit
Teenage Blue Tits vs Teenage Big Tits
Throughout the UK and Europe, you’ll find several species of tits in the psittacidae family, including blue tits and great tits. Both birds are very common in the UK and continental Europe.
However, as often as we may spot them, they are still one of the most confusing birds around. Here, we investigate the differences between these two garden bird species.
The best way to tell the difference is that great tits are larger than blue tits and have darker overall plumage than blue tits. Great tits have black heads with wings and stripes running down their heads. Blue tits have blue heads, white cheeks, and black eye stripes. Both share the same yellow belly.
As the name suggests, great tits are larger than blue tits. In fact, some great tits weigh twice as much as blue tits (20 grams versus 10 grams). Their wingspan was also about 6 to 8 centimeters larger. They also have a dark blue head and lack the blue wings of the blue tit.
In terms of character, great tits tend to be much bolder in character, using their larger body size to control smaller species such as blue tits around feeders.
Once you’ve spotted a few blue tits and great tits, it’s fairly simple to visually tell them apart. However, there are many other interesting differences between these two adorable birds – read on to find out more!
blue tit
big tits
Distribution difference
Blue tits and great tits have nearly identical ranges in parts of Europe and the Middle East, but great tits extend east and south into Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia in North Africa and Mongolia and China in Eastern Europe.
While the blue tit inhabits parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East, including Iraq, Iran, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, North Macedonia, and Syria, it’s not nearly as far along as the great tit.
Although the blue tit’s full name is the Eurasian blue tit, it is primarily a bird of Central and Western Europe.
Blue tit (left) and great tit (right) perched on a branch
Which is more common, the blue tit or the great tit
Great tits also have much larger populations than blue tits due to their wider range. The global population of great tits may exceed 1 billion individuals, while blue tits number about 44 million individuals.
On average, great tits are estimated to be at least twice as numerous as blue tits.
Populations of blue tits and great tits are pretty evenly balanced across most of Europe and the UK. There are probably more blue tits (about 3 million) than blue tits (2 million) in the UK.
In the UK, estimates suggest that blue tits are thought to outnumber great tits
Which is bigger, the blue tit or the great tit?
Aptly named, the great tit is the largest tit in Britain. Blue tits aren’t much smaller, nor are they among the smallest tits, but size differences are still relatively noticeable in a garden or field.
blue tit measurement
The blue tit is about 12 cm (4.7 in) long and has an 18 cm (7.1 in) wingspan. They weigh approximately 11 grams (0.39 oz). Males and females are almost the same size and weight.
great tits measured
Great tits are about 12.5 to 14 centimeters (4.9 to 5.5 inches) long and have a wingspan of 20 to 25 centimeters (7.9 to 10 inches). They weigh approximately 14 to 22 grams (0.5 to 0.7 oz).
Great tits are bigger than blue tits
Other Differences Between Blue Tit and Great Tit
behavioral difference
The blue tit and the great tit have different personalities, with the blue tit rated as the faster and more active bird, although both are capable of quick and agile acrobatic flights.
Blue tits may be more easily startled, while great tits are calmer and more purposeful in their actions, unless they are aggressive. Also, great tits were more likely than blue tits to forage on the ground.
Both birds can be aggressive around bird feeders, but the great tit usually wins out for its size and strength. Confrontations between these tits are not uncommon, but injuries are rarely caused.
Research has shown that great tits have different personalities and tend to group together based on their individual personalities. For example, more introverted birds flocked with other introverted birds, and so on.
nesting
Both birds are cavity nesters and often compete for the same nesting sites. Great tits may drive blue tits from the nest.
closeup of big tits
songs and vocalizations
Both birds are vocal, capable of a range of advanced calls and songs. In the case of blue tits, most songs are high-pitched and short, with a trill at the end. Big tits probably have a more comprehensive repertoire, with over 40 recorded songs and vocalizations.
Common songs include unique two-tone songs, one of which sounds like teacher teacherBoth birds also have siren calls, especially blue tits that call attention to ground predators like cats, which is known as “screaming.”
However, blue tit songs are less specific, sounding like cut cut drop drop drop.
breeding
Both blue tits and great tits are generally monogamous, forming a pair each breeding season and maintaining that relationship for at least that season.
It’s unclear how many will only re-pair with the same bird the next year, but it’s likely to be rare. Although monogamous, about 20% to 40% of blue tit and great tit nests have at least one chick born to a different father.
When it comes to nest building and feeding, the female does most of the nest building while the two birds feed the young.
A pair of blue tits perched on a branch
Female blue tit vs female great tit
The differences between male and female great tits are more pronounced than the differences between male and female blue tits, which are very similar.
Male great tits have thicker black stripes on their abdomens, while female great tits have thinner black stripes on their abdomens. Female plumage is slightly duller overall. Males are also slightly larger than females.
Female blue tits are also slightly darker than males, but you can expertly spot the difference with the naked eye. You’re more likely to recognize males in the spring when they show courtship distance from single females.
pair of big tits in water
Teenage Blue Tits vs Teenage Big Tits
In stark contrast to the blue adult blue tits, juvenile blue tits are green overall. In fact, aside from the black eye stripes of the adult blue tits, juvenile blue tits are quite different before they morph into adults.
Juvenile great tits may be more similar to adults, but lack the darker blue stripes and wings and green stomach, appearing duller overall.
juvenile blue tit
teen big tits
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
