Parus major (predator)

bird predators • other predators • Beneficials/natural enemies

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Parus major (click on image to enlarge it)
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Parus major with prey (click on image to enlarge it)
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Parus major (predator) Linnaeus, 1758 - (great tit)

This bird is common in Europe, in some temperate parts of Asia, as well as in parts of North Africa and the Near East. It is mainly insectivorous in the summer, but will consume seeds and other type of food in the winter. It is regarded as an important natural enemy of pest insects in forests, orchards, parks and gardens (e.g. see Mols & Visser, 2007). The great tit breeds in tree holes, typically has 2 broods per year, and is non-migrating.

Adult tits have a length of 12-14 cm, with a black head and neck, prominent white cheeks, and a yellowish breast, divided by a black line. The back is olive green, turning into grey on the wings and tail. There is a white band across the wings.

The subspecies Parus major minor (Japanese tit) is found in eastern Asia and is sometimes regarded as a separate species.