Luckily, the great tit...

Knock, knock! Who’s there? It’s a GREAT TIT tapping on the window.

It is said that a great tit tapping on a window is a sign of good luck and prosperity, as well as a herald of welcome guests. These birds stay with us all year round, and in winter they gladly take advantage of our kindness by feeding at bird feeders prepared especially for them.

What is the best food for great tits? These small, cheerful birds love sunflower seeds, which provide them with a large dose of energy. Raw, unsalted lard is also a good option, but we must make sure it contains no salt. Otherwise, it can seriously harm the bird. Walnuts, hazelnuts and peanuts are also a good choice, provided they are unsalted and unseasoned. Millet and flaxseed are suitable too.

We should remember that great tits must never be given bread or other baked goods, as these can cause serious digestive problems and may even lead to the bird’s death. Great tits certainly do not eat very little!

Interestingly, people sometimes say that someone “eats like a little bird”, meaning that they eat very little. In reality, great tits can eat an amount of food equal to their own body weight in a single day! It turns out that not every saying reflects reality. Great tits are real little food lovers with an excellent metabolism.

What is our great tit like? Beautiful, of course! The most common tit species in Poland is the great tit (Parus major), which weighs only a little over twenty grams. Its head is covered with a shiny black “cap”, while its cheeks are marked by large white patches. Its belly is bright yellow, with a black stripe running down the middle like a necktie. Its wings have a bluish tint, making this tiny bird stand out from the crowd. But it is not only the great tit’s appearance that is impressive. This little bird has an incredibly rich vocal repertoire, producing anywhere from 40 to even 200 different sounds and melodies. Great tits are outstanding singers!

Where do great tits live? They usually nest in tree hollows, but they also readily use nest boxes prepared for them by people. They often look for cavities made by woodpeckers or naturally formed cracks and hollows found in old trees. Sometimes, however, they choose far more unusual places for their home, such as an old watering can left unused in the garden or an abandoned flowerpot… Even a worn-out boot can sometimes become a cosy little nest.

A small bird with a big personality. The great tit is extremely active and agile. Despite its tiny size, it is remarkably brave and clever. It is a sociable bird that often feels comfortable around people and is a delight to watch thanks to its size, colours and song. However, it can also be aggressive towards other birds and is certainly capable of standing its ground. In winter, great tits have even been known to hunt small bats and eat their brains – a tiny bird with a truly fierce spirit!