Marsh Tit - Poecile palustris

The Marsh Tit is smart, clean looking bird with a small, well defined black bib and glossy black cap. It has a white mark at the base of the upper mandible. The plumage of the upper parts is a warm brown.  It is very similar to Willow Tit which has a pale wing panel.

The song is typically a repetition of a single fast, loud note 'chipp chipp chipp ...' or can be a pair of chips followed by a short rattle or a similar to a Coal Tit with repeated pairs of notes.

The similar Willow Tit (Parus montanus) has a white wing panel (formed by the edges of the secondaries). Willow Tit also has a matt black cap, whiter cheeks extending back to the nape of the neck, a larger bib with diffuse edges and a more "bull-necked" appearance.  Willow Tit does not have the small white mark at the base of the bill.

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.

Uncommon resident breeder in Leicestershire and Rutland. Recent decline. Red List.