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Marsh Tit Identification Guide

The Marsh Tit is a small woodland bird often confused with the Willow Tit. Its identification relies on subtle plumage details, vocalizations, and specific behavior. Here, you will learn how to recognize the Marsh Tit by its black cap, calls, breeding habits, diet, and the environments where it is most commonly found.
What I look like

What I look like

The Marsh Tit has a **black cap extending to the nape**.

The Marsh Tit has a black cap extending to the nape.

Its **cheeks** are **white**.

Its cheeks are white.

It has a very **small black bib** under its beak, like a **black droplet**.

It has a very small black bib under its beak, like a black droplet.

The belly is **white**.

The belly is white.

The flanks are **"cream"**.

The flanks are "cream".

The back and wings are **gray-brown**.

The back and wings are gray-brown.

**Male and female** are identical.

Male and female are identical.

It is easily confused with the **Willow Tit**.

It is easily confused with the Willow Tit.

Discover also : European Crested Tit Identification Guide
Want to learn to recognize birds quickly by their shapes and morphology? The Ornitho Mnemolia course guides you step by step. Start the course
My songs, my calls

My songs, my calls

The Marsh Tit produces **many very different calls**.

The Marsh Tit produces many very different calls.

Its repertoire remains **typical of tits**: series of sharp, simple, and repetitive sounds.

Its repertoire remains typical of tits: series of sharp, simple, and repetitive sounds.

**Rapid repetition** is typical of the “Marsh” species.

Rapid repetition is typical of the “Marsh” species.

Listen to the **song** of the Marsh Tit at the **beginning** of this clip. **"tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip"** …(8 to 19 repeated notes). At the **end** of the clip, you hear **calls** "pistiou dèdèdè"

Listen to the song of the Marsh Tit at the beginning of this clip. "tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip" …(8 to 19 repeated notes). At the end of the clip, you hear calls "pistiou dèdèdè"

The Great Tit often imitates the Marsh Tits.

The Great Tit often imitates the Marsh Tits.

Discover also : Long-tailed Tit Identification Guide
Identifying a bird by its song is easier than you think. The Ornitho Mnemolia course trains you with progressive audio quizzes. Start the course
How I behave

How I behave

It is **lively and quick**.

It is lively and quick.

It often moves in **pairs** and rarely joins other birds.

It often moves in pairs and rarely joins other birds.

Sometimes these are **same-sex pairs**, spending the **winter** together.

Sometimes these are same-sex pairs, spending the winter together.

**In spring**, the males start singing to find a female and **false pairs separate**.

In spring, the males start singing to find a female and false pairs separate.

Discover also : Willow Tit Identification Guide
Reading a bird's behavior changes everything in the field. The course shows you the key attitudes to recognize. Start the course
How I reproduce

How I reproduce

The Marsh Tit breeds from March to July.

It produces one brood per year.

It contains about 6 to 10 white eggs speckled with brownish-red.

The **nest** is a **moss cup** lined with fur in **tree holes and nest boxes**.

The nest is a moss cup lined with fur in tree holes and nest boxes.

It sometimes settles in **decaying wood**, which it may enlarge with pecks.

It sometimes settles in decaying wood, which it may enlarge with pecks.

Discover also : Eurasian Blue Tit Identification Guide
Understanding the species' life cycle helps you observe them better… and avoid disturbing them. The course covers everything you need to know. Start the course
What I eat

What I eat

Like most tits, it feeds on **insects and larvae** in the good season and on **seeds and berries** in the bad season.

Like most tits, it feeds on insects and larvae in the good season and on seeds and berries in the bad season.

Like the Coal Tit and the Crested Tit, it **stores seeds** in its hiding places.

Like the Coal Tit and the Crested Tit, it stores seeds in its hiding places.

The Marsh Tit is **much smaller** than the Great and Blue Tits.

The Marsh Tit is much smaller than the Great and Blue Tits.

But thanks to its **speed**, as soon as the feeder is free, it dives in to take its share and leaves immediately.

But thanks to its speed, as soon as the feeder is free, it dives in to take its share and leaves immediately.

Unlike other tits, it can carry **several seeds at once**.

Unlike other tits, it can carry several seeds at once.

In its beak, it can hold up to **3 seeds at a time**.

In its beak, it can hold up to 3 seeds at a time.

Discover also : Great Tit Identification Guide
To find birds more easily, you need to know their feeding habits. The course teaches you where to look and why. Start the course
Where to find me

Where to find me

It lives in **deciduous forests**, **mixed forests**, and **parks and gardens**.

It lives in deciduous forests, mixed forests, and parks and gardens.

It especially **loves deciduous forests** (oaks, beeches, birches).

It especially loves deciduous forests (oaks, beeches, birches).

It is **sedentary**. Loyal to its territory, it does not stray far.

It is sedentary. Loyal to its territory, it does not stray far.

**In Western Europe**, the Marsh Tit is much **more common** than the Willow Tit.

In Western Europe, the Marsh Tit is much more common than the Willow Tit.

Discover also : Coal Tit Identification Guide
Finding a species also means understanding its habitat. The Ornitho Mnemolia course helps you locate each bird in the right place. Start the course
The Marsh Tit is identified by its small black bib, pale flanks, rapid repeated calls, pair-based social behavior, and seed-storing habits. Observing these traits ensures accurate identification in the field.