The Different Varieties of Tits in France

Introduction

Tits are among the most popular birds in French gardens. Lively, colorful, and particularly useful, they play an essential role in the natural regulation of insects.

Easy to observe around feeders and nesting boxes, tits are present in most French regions, both in forests and urban environments.

In this article, discover the main varieties of tits present in France, their characteristics, their habitats, and the best solutions to welcome them with suitable nesting boxes.

Why protect tits?

Tits actively participate in the balance of ecosystems.

Their role in nature

• Regulation of caterpillars and harmful insects
• Contribution to garden biodiversity
• Dispersal of certain seeds
• Indicators of environmental quality

Despite their relative adaptation to human activities, some species are weakened by:

• The disappearance of hedges
• The use of pesticides
• The reduction of old trees
• The lack of natural cavities

1. The Great Tit

ID Card

• Scientific name: Parus major
• Size: 13 to 15 cm
• Wingspan: 22 to 25 cm
• Weight: 14 to 22 g

How to recognize it?

The great tit is the largest and one of the most common tits in France.

It has:

• A black head with large white cheeks
• A yellow belly crossed by a black stripe
• A greenish back
• Grey-blue wings

Habitat

It mainly lives:

• In gardens
• Parks
• Forests
• Orchards

Peculiarities

• Very active and curious
• A large consumer of caterpillars
• Nests easily in nesting boxes

Recommended nesting box

A closed nesting box with a 32 mm entrance hole is ideal.

2. The Blue Tit

ID Card

• Scientific name: Cyanistes caeruleus
• Size: 11 to 12 cm
• Wingspan: 18 to 20 cm

How to recognize it?

This species is easily identifiable thanks to:

• Its bright blue plumage
• Its blue cap
• Its yellow belly
• Its black mask around the eyes

Habitat

It frequents:

• Wooded gardens
• Hedges
• Orchards
• Deciduous woods

Peculiarities

• Very agile
• Acrobatic in branches
• A great hunter of small insects

Recommended nesting box

A nesting box with a 28 mm entrance hole is perfect for it.

3. The Coal Tit

ID Card

• Scientific name: Periparus ater
• Size: 10 to 11 cm

How to recognize it?

The coal tit features:

• A black head
• A large white patch on the nape
• A light belly
• An olive-grey back

Habitat

It is mainly found:

• In coniferous forests
• Wooded parks
• Mountains

Peculiarities

• Small and discreet
• Very fast in its movements
• Readily frequents feeders in winter

Recommended nesting box

Small wooden nesting boxes installed in quiet, wooded areas are suitable.

4. The Crested Tit

ID Card

• Scientific name: Lophophanes cristatus
• Size: 11 to 12 cm

How to recognize it?

This tit is recognizable thanks to:

• Its black and white crest
• Its grey-brown plumage
• Its black mask around the beak

Habitat

It mainly lives:

• In coniferous forests
• Cool wooded areas
• Forest massifs

Peculiarities

• Discreet species
• Very attached to conifers
• Sometimes uses old woodpecker cavities

Recommended nesting box

A nesting box placed in a quiet forest environment is perfect for it.

5. The Marsh Tit

ID Card

• Scientific name: Poecile palustris
• Size: 11 to 12 cm

How to recognize it?

It has:

• A shiny black cap
• White cheeks
• A discreet grey-brown back
• A small black bib

Habitat

It frequents:

• Deciduous forests
• Wooded wetland areas
• Large wooded gardens

Peculiarities

• Calm and discreet species
• Sometimes hides seeds for winter
• Prefers tranquil natural environments

Recommended nesting box

Natural wooden nesting boxes placed in little-frequented areas are ideal.

6. The Long-tailed Tit

ID Card

• Scientific name: Aegithalos caudatus
• Size: 13 to 15 cm including a long tail

How to recognize it?

This small species is very characteristic thanks to:

• Its very long tail
• Its round and light body
• Its white, black, and pinkish plumage

Habitat

It mainly lives:

• In hedges
• Gardens
• Thickets
• Forest edges

Peculiarities

• Often moves in small groups
• Builds very elaborate spherical nests
• Very active and sociable

Recommended nesting box

This species rarely uses classic nesting boxes but appreciates gardens rich in dense vegetation.

Differences between the main French tits

Species	Main peculiarity	Main habitat	Size
Great Tit	Yellow belly and black stripe	Gardens and forests	Large
Blue Tit	Bright blue plumage	Wooded gardens	Small
Coal Tit	White patch on the nape	Conifers	Small
Crested Tit	Black and white crest	Coniferous forests	Small
Marsh Tit	Discreet black cap	Deciduous forests	Small
Long-tailed Tit	Very long tail	Hedges and gardens	Small

Comparison of the main French tit species

Species	Size	Main colors	Preferred habitat	Type of food	Recommended nesting box
Great Tit	13 to 15 cm	Yellow, black, white	Gardens, parks, forests	Caterpillars, insects, seeds	32 mm entrance hole
Blue Tit	11 to 12 cm	Blue, yellow, white	Wooded gardens, orchards	Small insects, seeds	28 mm entrance hole
Coal Tit	10 to 11 cm	Black, grey, white	Coniferous forests	Insects, conifer seeds	Small forest nesting box
Crested Tit	11 to 12 cm	Grey-brown, black and white	Coniferous forests	Insects, larvae, seeds	Nesting box in wooded area
Marsh Tit	11 to 12 cm	Grey-brown, black	Deciduous forests, wet areas	Insects, seeds	Quiet, natural nesting box
Long-tailed Tit	13 to 15 cm	White, black, pinkish	Hedges, thickets, gardens	Small insects, insect eggs	Rarely in classic nesting boxes

Key differences to remember

Size and appearance

• The great tit is the largest and most robust.
• The blue tit is easily recognizable by its bright colors.
• The crested tit has a characteristic crest.
• The long-tailed tit is immediately distinguished by its very long tail.

Habitat

• Great tits and blue tits adapt very well to gardens.
• Coal tits and crested tits prefer coniferous forests.
• The marsh tit appreciates calm and wet wooded areas.

Behavior

• The great tit is dominant and very active.
• The blue tit is agile and acrobatic.
• The long-tailed tit often lives in small, very sociable groups.
• Some species are more discreet, such as the coal tit or the marsh tit.

Use of nesting boxes

• Great tits and blue tits readily use nesting boxes.
• Forest species are more likely to seek calm and natural areas.
• The long-tailed tit generally builds its own spherical nest.

How to attract tits to your garden?

Install suitable nesting boxes

Tits appreciate closed nesting boxes placed at height.

Recommended dimensions

• 28 mm entrance hole for small species
• 32 mm entrance hole for the great tit

Plant hedges and trees

Trees and shrubs offer:

• Food
• Protection
• Nesting sites
• Resting areas

Avoid pesticides

Tits are highly dependent on insects to feed their young.

Install feeders in winter

Sunflower seeds, unsalted peanuts, and fat balls are particularly appreciated.

Where to install a tit nesting box?

Ideal location

• Between 2 and 4 meters high
• Sheltered from strong winds
• In a quiet area
• Slightly shaded

Recommended orientation

Prefer:

• East
• Southeast

to avoid rain and intense heat.

When to install nesting boxes?

The best period remains:

• Autumn
• Winter

Birds can then spot the nesting box before spring.

Mistakes to avoid

• Installing the nesting box in direct sunlight
• Disturbing birds during nesting
• Using pesticides in the garden
• Cleaning the nesting box during the breeding period

The role of tits in gardens

Tits are true natural allies.

They contribute to:

• Reducing processionary caterpillars
• Limiting aphids and harmful insects
• Maintaining a natural ecological balance

Their presence promotes a healthier and more vibrant garden.

Diagram of a nesting box suitable for tits

Recommended dimensions

For blue tits

• Total height: 25 cm
• Width: 12 cm
• Depth: 12 cm
• Entrance hole: 28 mm

For great tits

• Total height: 30 cm
• Width: 14 cm
• Depth: 14 cm
• Entrance hole: 32 mm

Tit breeding cycle

The tit breeding cycle generally follows the seasons and depends on temperatures and food availability.

1. Pair formation

Period

• Late winter
• Early spring
• Generally between February and March

Males actively sing to defend their territory and attract a female.

2. Nesting site search

Tits look for:

• Natural cavities
• Holes in trees
• Suitable nesting boxes
• Protected crevices

The female often chooses the final nest location.

3. Nest construction

Materials used

• Mosses
• Dry grasses
• Hair
• Feathers
• Small roots

The nest is built mainly by the female.

Average duration

• Between 5 and 10 days

4. Egg laying

Period

• Between April and June depending on the region

Number of eggs

• Generally between 6 and 12 eggs
• Sometimes more for the blue tit

The eggs are often white with small red or brown spots.

5. Incubation

Duration

• Approximately 12 to 15 days

The female incubates most of the time while the male brings food.

6. Hatching of chicks

At hatching, the chicks are:

• Naked
• Blind
• Very dependent on parents

Both adults actively participate in feeding.

7. Feeding the young

Main diet

• Caterpillars
• Small insects
• Larvae
• Spiders

Tits can make several hundred round trips a day to feed their young.

Time in the nest

• Between 16 and 22 days depending on the species

8. Fledging of young tits

The young leave the nest when they are able to fly.

After fledging:

• Parents continue to feed them for a few days
• The young gradually learn to fend for themselves

9. Possible second brood

Some species, particularly the great tit and the blue tit, can have:

• A second brood during the summer if conditions are favorable.

Conclusion

The different varieties of tits present in France bring life, color, and biodiversity to gardens and forests.

From the famous great tit to the discreet crested tit, each has its peculiarities and needs.

Installing suitable nesting boxes, preserving trees, and limiting pesticides are simple actions that can sustainably promote their presence.

At FranceNichoirs, we encourage the creation of welcoming spaces for tits and all the birds in our gardens.