European Birds

Paridae : Tits & Chickadees

European Crested Tit

Lophophanes cristatus

L. c. scoticus - Inverness-shire, Scotland - February 2008

Although Crested Tits occur throughout most of continental Europe, in Britain they are restricted to the Caledonian Pine forests of northern Scotland.

L. c. scoticus - Inverness-shire, Scotland - February 2008

The Scottish population is currently stable at around 900 pairs and are only found in stands of Scots Pine that are older than 20 years old.

L. c. scoticus - Inverness-shire, Scotland - February 2008

They mostly feed on small invertebrates but in the winter, when invertebrate food is scarce, they will readily come to garden peanut feeders.

L. c. scoticus - Inverness-shire, Scotland - February 2008