Sinitihane

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

Classification:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Aves
• Order: Passeriformes
• Family: Paridae
• Genus: Cyanistes
• Species: C. caeruleus

Description: The Blue Tit is a small, vibrant bird, 11-12 cm long and weighing 9-12 grams. It has a bright blue crown, light blue wings and tail, a white face with dark eye lines, yellow underparts, and a greenish-yellow back.

Habitat: Native to Europe and parts of Western Asia, Blue Tits prefer deciduous and mixed woodlands, olive groves, parks, and gardens, often using nest boxes and tree cavities for breeding.

Behavior: Curious and intelligent, Blue Tits explore diverse feeding techniques, eating insects, caterpillars, seeds, and bird-feeder offerings in winter. They are agile, often hanging upside down while foraging.

Reproduction: Generally monogamous, Blue Tits breed prolifically, with females laying 7-12 speckled eggs. Incubation lasts 14 days, and chicks fledge at 18-21 days, with males assisting in feeding.

Conservation Status: Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, Blue Tits benefit from nest boxes and suburban gardens, contributing to stable or increasing populations.

Significance: Blue Tits control pest populations and adapt well to environmental changes, making them valuable for ecological and behavioral research.