Do Blue Tits Migrate?

blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), One of the most wonderful birds to have in your garden. I love watching blue tits prancing and dancing around the trees above my garden. They are such interesting little birds, but where do they migrate to? If they did migrate? Well, let’s find out, shall we?

Most blue tits prefer to stay close to home, with only a few moving more than 20 kilometers (12 miles) from their nesting sites each year. Many blue tits never leave the area where they hatch. However, some blue tits do migrate.

Blue tits are both beautiful and curious. As we’ll see throughout this article, the blue tit is a very interesting bird. Many of them decided to stay home for the winter, while others decided to explore.

Some blue tits do like to migrate. These are more likely blue tits that live in the very cold climates of Europe. So, if you start to see a lot of blue tits in your area during the winter, they are likely blue tits that have moved from their cold home countries and found food and shelter in the UK.

Blue tits usually stay within 20 kilometers of their range

When Do Blue Tit Migrate?

Only about 1.2% of blue tits in the UK migrate, and this only happens in winter.

However, British blue tits have only moved about 20 kilometers from the places they call home. There are some Nordic blue tits that make their way to the UK during the harshest months of the year. So, if you do have more blue tits than usual in your area, they could be our European relatives enjoying a lovely warm, crisp British winter.

Where do blue tits migrate to?

Most blue tits, native to the UK, only travel about 12 miles down the road from where they were born. In winter, blue tits need to find warm shelter and food.

So if their usual nesting grounds can’t meet their needs, they’ll leave and look elsewhere for a hotel that offers a buffet. But blue tits aren’t too keen on road trips; they prefer quick jaunts on the road. This way they can return to the nest in time for spring.

Blue tit perched on a branch with berries in winter

How far do blue tits migrate?

British native blue tits usually only migrate a maximum distance of 20 km.

They’re not really the self-reflecting, road-stumbling, adventurous types of birds. Some blue tits do migrate farther, but these make up only 1.2 percent of the population, and they don’t travel more than 20 kilometers.

There are some Nordic blue tits that travel to the UK in winter in search of warmer weather and food. However, there are even Nordic tits that will stay put and squat.

Do all blue tits migrate?

Most blue tits prefer to stay close to home and do not migrate. In fact, about 1 percent of blue tits travel more than 20 kilometers from their nesting grounds.

Blue tits are very domesticated. They like to be close to where they were born. Even blue tits that exceed 20 kilometers do not travel much further. They prefer to find shelter and food where they live. Blue tits only migrate further afield when there is no shelter or food in the area.

A flock of blue tits in a tree

Why do some blue tits not migrate?

The reason many blue tits don’t migrate is actually because of us. Throughout the year, you will likely see many blue tits near the feeding station, which is a big reason for them not to leave. Blue tits have learned about feeding stations and are more than happy to get all their food from them. So if blue tits live in your area and you see them throughout the winter, chances are they like the food you offer them.

Blue tits rely heavily on feeding stations year round, but especially in winter. So, if you have some feeding stations in your garden, keep feeding them through the winter. Blue tits still need them. In fact, they need them more in winter than in summer. You may have hundreds of blue tits dependent on you. No stress, but you have hundreds of cute little mouths (well, beaks) to feed from.

Eurasian blue tit on a garden feeder

Where do blue tits go in winter?

Although many blue tits don’t migrate very far in winter, you’ll likely see fewer of them around. This is because blue tits try to find shelter during the winter. If you have woodland near you, they are likely to hide in trees.

Blue tits may also use bird boxes in winter, but they only use them during the colder months for safety. If they like the box and find a mate, they may start nesting in the spring.

Where do blue tits go in summer?

In late summer and early fall, you may notice fewer blue tits in your garden. This is because, like many other birds, they travel to the wilder countryside in search of different food sources.

Since blue tits don’t migrate, they need to maintain their strength during the colder months. So, the reason you don’t see them is that their little stomachs can take it, so they overeat.

Blue tit drinking water, in autumn

What can I do to help non-migratory blue tits in winter?

One of the biggest reasons blue tits don’t migrate during the winter is because of feeding stations in the garden. They learned that they can get a lot of food in the garden during the winter months. So keep your feeding stations well stocked.

Sunflower seeds, nuts, fat balls, and other high-fat foods are good choices. They still have a strong preference for mealworms and other insects in winter, though. Keeping their pantry is a great way to keep blue tits through the winter.

You can also place bird boxes in your garden to provide them with shelter from the cold. They’ll reward you with cute little dance moves.