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Willow Tit Identification Guide

The Willow Tit is a small tit species closely related to the Marsh Tit and often confused with it. Visual differences are subtle, making vocalizations a key identification feature. Here, you will learn how to recognize the Willow Tit through its calls, behavior, breeding habits, diet, and the habitats where it is found.
What I look like

What I look like

The Willow Tit is "the twin sister" of the **Marsh Tit**.

The Willow Tit is "the twin sister" of the Marsh Tit.

The visual differences are very limited...

The visual differences are very limited...

The cap of the Willow Tit is a **duller black**.

The cap of the Willow Tit is a duller black.

Its black chin is **slightly more extended**.

Its black chin is slightly more extended.

The flanks appear **a bit darker**.

The flanks appear a bit darker.

In short! visual recognition is very difficult…

In short! visual recognition is very difficult…

Discover also : Eurasian Blue 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 and the Willow Tit can be differentiated by their **different calls and songs**.

The Marsh Tit and the Willow Tit can be differentiated by their different calls and songs.

A brief analysis of the **male's song** in spring...

A brief analysis of the male's song in spring...

The **Marsh Tit** sings a rapid repetition of sharp and **short** sounds very **quickly** (8 to 19 repeated notes). "tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip..." At the end of the clip are cries "pistiou dèdèdè".

The Marsh Tit sings a rapid repetition of sharp and short sounds very quickly (8 to 19 repeated notes). "tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip tyip..." At the end of the clip are cries "pistiou dèdèdè".

The **Willow Tit** sings **slower** than the Marsh Tit and the **notes are more drawn out** (2 to 7 repeated notes). "tiu tiu tiu tiu tiu tiu" Note!!! You also hear calls "khè khè khè" (deeper and more nasal).

The Willow Tit sings slower than the Marsh Tit and the notes are more drawn out (2 to 7 repeated notes). "tiu tiu tiu tiu tiu tiu" Note!!! You also hear calls "khè khè khè" (deeper and more nasal).

Discover also : Great 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 **seldom found in gardens**.

It is seldom found in gardens.

It can be found at the **feeder** if it is **near woods**.

It can be found at the feeder if it is near woods.

To **attract it to the garden**, you can attach an old decomposing birch log to a tree which it can hollow out to nest.

To attract it to the garden, you can attach an old decomposing birch log to a tree which it can hollow out to nest.

Discover also : Coal 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

It breeds from late April to July.

It produces one brood per year.

It lays 6 to 9 white eggs speckled with russet.

With its beak, **the female** carves a hole in dead wood which serves as a **nest**.

With its beak, the female carves a hole in dead wood which serves as a nest.

It gathers all sorts of materials, such as wood shavings.

It gathers all sorts of materials, such as wood shavings.

The **cup-shaped nest** is made of grass, feathers, and fur.

The cup-shaped nest is made of grass, feathers, and fur.

Discover also : Marsh 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 is **insectivorous** in spring and summer and switches to a **granivorous** diet in late autumn and winter.

Like most tits, it is insectivorous in spring and summer and switches to a granivorous diet in late autumn and winter.

In **winter**, it makes its **reserves** of hidden food.

In winter, it makes its reserves of hidden food.

Discover also : European Crested 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

In **Western Europe** the Willow Tit is **less common** than the Marsh Tit.

In Western Europe the Willow Tit is less common than the Marsh Tit.

There are two subspecies in Western Europe: the willow tit and the alpine tit.

The **“willow tit”** lives in the northern plains.

The “willow tit” lives in the northern plains.

In the **undergrowth of deciduous trees**, near **watercourses** (presence of **willows**, ash trees, alders).

In the undergrowth of deciduous trees, near watercourses (presence of willows, ash trees, alders).

The **“alpine tit”** lives in the **coniferous forests** of the Alps and the Jura.

The “alpine tit” lives in the coniferous forests of the Alps and the Jura.

The Willow Tit copes better with **altitude** than the Marsh Tit.

The Willow Tit copes better with altitude than the Marsh Tit.

It is more widespread in the **mountains** and in **Northern Europe**.

It is more widespread in the mountains and in Northern Europe.

The **Willow Tit** is **sedentary**.

The Willow Tit is sedentary.

To **maintain the species**, it is necessary to avoid removing **dead wood** from wetland areas where it likes to nest.

To maintain the species, it is necessary to avoid removing dead wood from wetland areas where it likes to nest.

Discover also : Long-tailed 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 Willow Tit is mainly identified by its slower, more drawn-out calls, its use of decaying wood for nesting, and its preference for wet or mountainous habitats. Careful listening and habitat observation allow reliable identification.