Great Tit Parus major Scientific name definitions

One of the commonest and most widespread Palearctic passerines, and a model species for the study of behavioral ecology, the Great Tit is among the best-studied birds in the world. The Great Tit is quite distinctive with its black head and large white facial patch coupled with its yellow underparts. The species has adapted very well to human-modified landscapes such as wooded farmland and urban areas well away from its natural woodland and woodland edge habitats, in part because it readily uses artificial nest boxes and is a habitual visitor to garden bird feeders. The song is distinctive and repetitive, but is also famously variable, and even very experienced observers may initially be confused by yet another variant on one of the commonest motifs. It is largely a resident species but in some regions it may undertake elevational migration and even irruptive movements in years when the population is particularly high and key food resources such as beechmast crops fail. The Great Tit breeds in tree cavities and nest boxes, and often has two broods per year, each with a clutch size of 5‒12 eggs incubated exclusively by the female.