All About the Willow Tit - Willow Tit Bird Facts & Information

Behaviour & Appearance

The Willow Tit is a small, shy bird (about the size of a Blue Tit). They have grey brown plumage that helps them blend into scrub and wet woodland.

They have a prominent black patch under their beak, which means they are often confused with species like the Marsh Tit. They also have a black cap and pale cheeks.

In the UK, they are a resident bird and maintain their territories all year round. Unfortunately, the Willow Tit decline in population size is partly due to habitat loss. Since 1995, Willow Tit numbers have declined by 85% and now they are a threatened species.

Willow Tit vs Marsh Tit

Willow Tits and Marsh Tits are similar in appearance, and up until 1897, they weren't separated as species.

Feature	Willow Tit (Poecile montanus)	Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris)
Cap Colour	Dull black, slightly matt	Glossy black, shinier appearance
Cheek Colour	Pale, slightly buff-toned	Bright white
Bib Shape	More diffuse, less sharply defined	Neat and sharply defined
Call	Nasal “zee-zurr” or chay-chay-chay	Explosive sneeze-like “pitchu”

Willow Tit Population Size & Conservation Actions

Across the UK, it is estimated that there are around 3,400 breeding pairs left. This means it is the second fastest declining resident bird in the UK, after the Tree Sparrow. They have a Red-listed species status in the UK (highest conservation concern). Across much of Southern England, the Willow Tit is very rarely found.

There is active conservation management for Willow Tits in the UK, particularly due to their dramatic population decline. Led by organisations such as Natural England, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), and local wildlife trusts, efforts focus on restoring and managing wet woodland and scrub habitats, critical for Willow Tit nesting.

Conservationists are also retaining standing deadwood, which the species relies on to excavate its own nest holes, and monitoring threats such as nest predation and competition from other tit species.

What do Willow Tits eat?

During the spring and summer, Willow Tits rely heavily on insects, spiders, and larvae, which are rich in protein and essential for feeding their chicks. They’re often seen foraging quietly in mossy branches, peeling back bark, or probing decaying wood in search of small invertebrates.

As autumn and winter arrive, the menu changes. These little birds turn to seeds from alder, birch, and willow trees, as well as berries and other soft fruits. They’re also known to cache food, tucking seeds and insects into tree crevices to eat later during leaner times.

Unlike their cousin, the Blue Tit or Great Tit, Willow Tits don’t frequent garden feeders as often, though they may occasionally take suet or peanuts during cold spells.

Willow Tit Habitat

The Willow Tit lives in wet woodlands, scrubby edges, and overgrown thickets, where very few other tit species thrive. It relies on very specific conditions to survive.

They tend to be found in wet woodland with alder, willow, birch, and scrub areas rich in dead wood and rotting stumps, essential for excavating nest holes, dense undergrowth and shrubs, which provide cover and food, and mossy, damp, and undisturbed places, often away from heavily managed or tidied-up woodlands.

The Willow Tit Breeding Season

The Willow Tit’s breeding season is a quiet affair, often going unnoticed due to the bird’s secretive nature and preference for remote, damp woodland.

The breeding season typically runs from late March through June, with peak nesting activity in April and May. Timing depends on weather, food availability, and habitat conditions.

One of the Willow Tit’s most fascinating traits is that it excavates its nest hole, a rare behaviour among UK tit species. Both the male and female take turns hollowing out a cavity in soft, decaying wood, often in a rotting tree stump or branch.

A typical clutch contains 6–9 eggs, which are white with reddish speckles. The female incubates the eggs for around 13–15 days, while the male brings food and guards the area.

Once hatched, the chicks remain in the nest for about 16–19 days. Both parents feed the young on a rich diet of insects and larvae, crucial for their rapid growth.

Threats & Predators

One of the biggest challenges is habitat loss, especially the clearance of wet woodland and the removal of deadwood, which is crucial for nesting. Without soft, rotting trees, Willow Tits can’t excavate the cavities they depend on.

Nest predation is another significant issue, with Great Spotted Woodpeckers often raiding nests during the breeding season. The species also suffers from increased competition with more dominant birds like Great Tits and Blue Tits, which can take over feeding territories or nest holes.

Five Facts about Willow Tits

1. Willow Tits excavate their nest holes in rotten wood, a rare behavior among UK tits.

2. They have a distinctive black bib and dull grey-brown plumage, often confused with Marsh Tits.

3. Willow Tit populations in the UK have declined by over 90% since the 1970s, making them a threatened species.

4. They prefer wet woodland and scrub habitats rich in dead wood for nesting and feeding.

5. Their nests are vulnerable to predation by Great Spotted Woodpeckers and competition from other tit species.