Species names in all available languages
| Language | Common name |
|---|---|
| Albanian | Trishtili i madh |
| Arabic | قرقف كبير |
| Armenian | Մեծ երաշտահավ |
| Asturian | Beranñn real |
| Azerbaijani | İri arıquşu |
| Basque | Kaskabeltz handia |
| Bulgarian | Голям синигер |
| Catalan | mallerenga carbonera |
| Chinese (SIM) | 大山雀 |
| Croatian | velika sjenica |
| Czech | sýkora koňadra |
| Danish | Musvit |
| Dutch | Koolmees |
| English | Great Tit |
| English (Bangladesh) | Great Tit (European Great Tit) |
| English (India) | European Great Tit |
| English (United States) | Great Tit |
| Faroese | Stórtíta |
| Finnish | talitiainen |
| French | Mésange charbonnière |
| French (France) | Mésange charbonnière |
| Galician | Ferreiro común |
| German | Kohlmeise |
| Greek | Καλόγερος |
| Hebrew | ירגזי מצוי |
| Hungarian | Széncinege |
| Icelandic | Flotmeisa |
| Italian | Cinciallegra |
| Japanese | ヨーロッパシジュウカラ |
| Korean | 노랑배박새 |
| Latvian | Lielā zīlīte |
| Lithuanian | Didžioji zylė |
| Mongolian | Их хөх бух |
| Norwegian | kjøttmeis |
| Persian | چرخ ریسک بزرگ |
| Polish | bogatka |
| Portuguese (Portugal) | Chapim-real |
| Romanian | Pițigoi mare |
| Russian | Большая синица |
| Serbian | Velika senica |
| Slovak | sýkorka veľká |
| Slovenian | Velika sinica |
| Spanish | Carbonero Común |
| Spanish (Spain) | Carbonero común |
| Swedish | talgoxe |
| Turkish | Büyük Baştankara |
| Ukrainian | Синиця велика |
Revision Notes
Guy M. Kirwan, Nárgila Moura, and Nicholas D. Sly revised the account. Peter Pyle contributed to the Plumages, Molts, and Structure page. Arnau Bonan Barfull and Nicholas D. Sly curated the media. Nicholas D. Sly revised the distribution map.
Parus major Linnaeus, 1758
Definitions
- PARUS
- parus
- major
The Key to Scientific Names
Legend Overview
Great Tit Parus major Scientific name definitions
Version: 2.0 — Published July 5, 2024
Photos from this Account
Adult (Great)
A small songbird with a white cheek; black cap, throat, and collar; single white wingbar; and small, black bill. Birds across Europe and parts of Asia are yellowish below, with a greenish back and blue-gray wings and tail.
Adult (Great)
Feeds on insects, seeds, and berries.
Juvenile (Great)
Juvenile has light yellowish cheeks, a dull blackish cap, and paler underparts than adult.
Adult (Turkestan)
“Turkestan” Great Tit of Central Asia has silver-gray upperparts and is whitish below.
Adult (Turkestan)
“Turkestan” Great Tit has silver-gray upperparts and wings; long tail is darker gray with white in the outer tail feathers.
Adult (Great)
Great Tit populations in Asia have paler yellow underparts than the bright yellow birds in Europe.
Adult (Great)
Thick black line extends from black throat and divides yellow underparts.
Adult (Great) (with Eurasian Tree Sparrow)
The largest tit in Europe, nearly as large as Eurasian Tree Sparrow.
Adult (subspecies major).
Adult Great Tit (subspecies major).
Similar species: Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus).
The Eurasian Blue Tit can be distinguished from the Great Tit by its smaller size, white supercilium, and blue crown.
Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), right, with a Great Tit (Parus major), left.
The Eurasian Blue Tit can be distinguished from the Great Tit by its smaller size, white supercilium, and blue crown.
Great Tit (subspecies excelsus).
The white cheek patch on a black head, green back, blue-gray wings, and yellow underparts set the Great Tit apart from similar species.
Similar species: African Blue Tit (Cyanistes teneriffae).
The North African subspecies ultramarinus is similar to Great Tit, but has a bold white supercilium, and blue-gray upperparts.
Similar species: Coal Tit (Periparus ater).
The North African subspecies ledouci has a similar overall pattern including yellow underparts, but differs in having a yellow wash in the cheek.
Great Tit (subspecies kapustini).
The white cheek patch on a black head, green back, blue-gray wings, and yellow underparts set the Great Tit apart from similar species.
Similar species: Japanese Tit (Parus minor).
Japanese Tit has a duller olive back and mostly whitish underparts (compared to the yellow underparts of adjacent subspecies of Great Tit, kapustini).
Similar species: Japanese Tit (Parus minor).
Japanese Tit has a duller olive back and mostly whitish underparts (compared to the yellow underparts of adjacent subspecies of Great Tit, kapustini).
Great Tit (subspecies intermedius).
The subspecies intermedius, despite being part of the major subspecies group, lacks the green back and yellow underparts, thus resembling the gray 'Turkestan Tit' subspecies group, and the Cinereous Tit.
Great Tit (subspecies bokharensis).
Subspecies bokharensis of the 'Turkestan Tit' subspecies group, compared to either subspecies intermedius of the major subspecies group, or to the Cinereous Tit, has a relatively longer tail, stouter legs, and a narrower black border at the rear of a larger white ear patch, but these differences are subtle.
Similar species: Cinereous Tit (Parus cinereus).
The Cinereous Tit has a heavier black border behind the white cheek patch, slightly darker gray upperparts, more crisply marked white edging on the tertials, and mostly dark central rectrices.
Great Tit (subspecies bokharensis).
Subspecies bokharensis of the 'Turkestan Tit' subspecies group, compared to either subspecies intermedius of the major subspecies group, or to the Cinereous Tit, has a more strongly graduated tail, with shorter outer rectrices. It also shows more white in the tail than intermedius, and subtle different pattern than Cinereous Tit.
Great Tit (subspecies turkestanicus).
Subspecies turkestanicus of the 'Turkestan Tit' subspecies group, compared to either subspecies intermedius of the major subspecies group, or to the Cinereous Tit, has gray central rectrices with only narrow dark central streaks.
Similar species: Cinereous Tit (Parus cinereus).
The Cinereous Tit has a heavier black border behind the white cheek patch, slightly darker gray upperparts, more crisply marked white edging on the tertials, and mostly dark central rectrices.
Adult Great Tit (subspecies newtoni).
Similar Species: Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus).
Adult Great Tit (subspecies bokharensis).
Juvenile Great Tit (subspecies major).
Juveniles are similar to definitive basic females, but crown to nape browner or brownish olive; upperparts duller olive-green and grayer on rump and uppertail coverts. Juvenile primaries and rectrices are thinner and more tapered or pointed at the tips than basic feathers. Note also the increased yellowish coloration to the cutting edges of the bill.
Juvenile (left) and Adult Female (right) Great Tits (subspecies major).
Note browner crown and paler yellow underparts on the Juvenile. The breast has a smaller dark gray bib and reduced narrow dark gray ventral line; Juvenile body feathers are weaker and more filamentous than those of later plumages, especially along the sides of the underparts and the undertail coverts. The dull plumage of this juvenile suggests a female. The swollen gape, inside of the mouth, and cutting edges to the bill are bright yellow in juveniles.
Juvenile Great Tit (subspecies major), probable Male.
The crown is washed brownish, the upperwing secondary coverts are weak and washed or fringed olive, the rectrices are thin and tapered or pointed at the tips, and the juvenile body feathers are more filamentous than in later plumages, especially along the sides of the underparts and the undertail coverts. The bright plumage of this juvenile suggests a male.
Formative Female Great Tit (subspecies major).
Formative females are often diagnostically duller in body feathering than the other age/sex groups. Here note the molt limits within the tertials, s8–s9 on the right wing (and perhaps the s7–s9 on the left wing) contrastingly new, blacker-centered, and with broader white fringes than on retained juvenile adjacent tertials and secondaries. Note also the brownish and worn primary coverts and outer primary. The greater alula has been replaced in this individual, which occurs in some but not all formative birds, as have all 12 rectrices, which occurs in the great majority of formative birds..
Formative Male Great Tit (subspecies major).
Retained juvenile primary coverts are washed brown and have little to no bluish edging. These and the retained juvenile lesser and greater alula feathers contrast with the replaced formative greater coverts. Note also that the tertials have been replaced and contrast with adjacent juvenile secondaries. The bright body plumage (for a formative bird) indicates a male.
Formative Great Tit (subspecies terraesanctae).
Here note six inner secondaries (s4–s9) on each wing have been replaced during the Preformative Molt and contrast with the juvenile s1–s3. The upperwing greater coverts have also been replaced and stand out relative to the juvenile primary coverts and remiges. The plumage appears intermediate between definitive basic females and males, suggesting that this might be a formative male, but lighting prevents accurate sexing in this case. Subspecies also has to be accounted for, terraesanctae averaging paler overall than more western populations of the P. m. major group.
Definitive Basic Female Great Tit (subspecies major).
In both sexes, Definitive Basic Plumage is separated from Formative Plumage by having upperwing coverts and inner secondaries uniform in wear and quality, without molt limits, although beware that basic tertials and sometimes additional proximal secondaries are naturally blacker than adjacent secondaries, creating a "pseudolimit". Here note the dusky primary coverts with relatively broad blue-gray edging, not contrasting in quality with the greater coverts. The basic greater alula is black as opposed to brown and worn juvenile alula if retained by formative birds. The relatively dull plumage, sullied white patch, an less distinct ventral line indicates a female for a bird in Definitive Basic plumage.
Definitive Basic Female Great Tit (subspecies major).
In Definitive Basic Plumage, subtle "molt clines" are often observable among the remiges reflecting replacement sequences during a previous complete molt. This is especially evident among outer secondaries; here note the gradual freshening and darkening of secondaries from more worn s1 to darker s6, before encountering the naturally darker tertials. The uniformly basic wing coverts and remiges indicate Definitive Basic Plumage, and the duller back and sides indicates a female in this plumage.
Definitive Basic Female Great Tit (subspecies major).
Females can get particularly worn during the nesting season. Despite this, blue-gray edging remains on the dusky primary coverts, and the lack of contrast between these and the greater coverts indicates Definitive Basic Plumage (by May, juvenile primary coverts and greater alula of Formative Plumage are much browner and more abraded, and lack paler edging).
Definitive Basic Male Great Tit (subspecies major).
The very bright body feathering, dusky primary coverts broadly edged bluish, and blackish alula with white edging indicates a fresh definitive basic male. Molt limits do not occur among upperwing feathers, although note the naturally blacker tertials that create a "pseudolimit."
Definitive Basic Male Great Tit (subspecies newtoni).
Definitive Basic males have diagnostically brighter plumage than other age/sex groups, including glossier blue-black crowns, larger and more striking white cheek patches, and more extensive black to the central underparts.
Definitive Basic Male Great Tit (subspecies major).
Note the black inner webs to the primary coverts, alula, and remiges, characters of definitive basic male Great Tits. Wing feathers are uniformly basic. The plumage on this definitive basic male is otherwise not as bright as in others, perhaps reflecting duller average plumages in southeastern European parts of the subspecies range.
Great Tits undergoing Prejuvenile Molt (subspecies major).
Little has been published on the Prejuvenile Molt due to presence in nest cavities. As in most passerines, juvenile feathering presumably develops ca. 4–7 days post hatch and is completed or near-completed at fledging at 16–22 days.
Great Tits undergoing Prejuvenile Molt (subspecies major).
The Prejuvenile Molt may take longer in Great Tits than in other passerines due to the protection afforded by nest cavities.
Great Tit completing Prejuvenile Molt (subspecies major).
Outer primaries and (especially) rectrices of fledged juveniles can still be as little as half grown.
Great Tit undergoing Preformative Molt (subspecies major).
Somewhat unusual for a passerine, rectrices are usually entirely replaced during the Preformative Molt. Note also ongoing molt of the tertials in typical sequence, with s8 new, s9 growing, and s7 dropped on each wing. Rectrix replacement usually proceeds distally on each side of the tail. A bird in this stage of rectrix replacement without corresponding remigial replacement (aside from tertials and inner secondaries) is undergoing the Preformative Molt.
Great Tit undergoing Definitive Prebasic Molt (subspecies major).
During complete prebasic molts, primaries (and corresponding primary coverts) are replaced distally (p1 to p10) and secondaries are replaced proximally from s1 and proximally and distally from the central tertial (s8). Here primary molt has proceeded to p5, s8 is new, s9 and s7 are dropped, and s1 is growing in typical sequence, which is rather fixed among most passerines. In this image it may be difficult to tell if outer primraies and primary coverts are juvenile or not, but note the molt cline among the older secondaries (from slightly more worn s2 to fresher s6), indicating a previous complete molt and that this is a Definitive rather than the Second Prebasic Molt.
Male Great Tit undergoing Definitive Prebasic Molt (subspecies corsus).
Few Macaulay Library images are of birds molting primaries, indicating that they are retiring at this time, as is common among passerines. Here molt is proceeding in typical sequence, with inner primaries, tertials, s1, and inner rectrices new or growing. The comparatively bright body feathering of this male along with unmolted primaries and secondaries in relatively fair condition, indicate basic feathers and that this is likely a Definitive rather than the Second Prebasic Molt.
Adult.
Adults show a dark bill, dark irises, and slate gray tarsi and toes.
Close-up of adult.
Adults show a dark bill with slightly paler cutting edges, and dark brown irises.
Close-up of juvenile.
Juveniles show a dark bill with a yellow cutting edge and dark irises.
Adult lateral view (subspecies newtoni).
Adult frontal view (subspecies newtoni).
Adult dorsal view (subspecies newtoni).
Adult frontal view (subspecies major).
Adult dorsal view (subspecies major).
Adult frontal view (subspecies major).
Adult lateral view (subspecies kapustini).
Adult frontal view (subspecies kapustini).
Adult ventral view (subspecies kapustini).
Adult frontal view (subspecies corsus).
Adult dorsal view (subspecies corsus).
Adult lateral view (subspecies corsus).
Adult dorsal view (subspecies corsus).
Adult lateral view (subspecies mallorcae).
Adult lateral view (subspecies mallorcae).
Adult dorsal view (subspecies mallorcae).
Adult frontal view (subspecies ecki).
Adult lateral view (subspecies ecki).
Adult ventral view (subspecies ecki).
Adult dorsal view (subspecies excelsus).
Adult frontal view (subspecies excelsus).
Adult lateral view (subspecies aphrodite).
Adult dorsal view (subspecies aphrodite).
Adult frontal view (subspecies aphrodite).
Adult ventral view (subspecies aphrodite).
Adult lateral view (subspecies niethammeri).
Adult lateral view (subspecies niethammeri).
Adult dorsal view (subspecies niethammeri).
Adult lateral view (subspecies terraesanctae).
Adult frontal view (subspecies terraesanctae).
Adult dorsal view (subspecies terraesanctae).
Adult lateral view (subspecies blanfordi).
Adult dorsal view (subspecies blanfordi).
Adult frontal view (subspecies blanfordi).
Group of birds drinking (subspecies blanfordi).
Adult lateral view (subspecies blanfordi).
Adult dorsal view (subspecies blanfordi).
Adult ventral view (subspecies blanfordi).
Adult ventral view (subspecies blanfordi).
Adult lateral view (subspecies intermedius).
Adult ventral view (subspecies intermedius).
Adult lateral view (subspecies bokharensis).
Adult frontal view (subspecies bokharensis).
Adult lateral view (subspecies ferghanensis).
Adult dorsal view (subspecies ferghanensis).
Adult ventral view (subspecies ferghanensis).
Adult lateral view (subspecies turkestanicus).
Adult frontal view (subspecies turkestanicus).
Great Tit in oak forest (Quercus); Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
Open park-like habitat containing Great Tit; Faro, Portugal.
Habitat containing Great Tit; Lombardia, Italy.
Bird in habitat; Wales, United Kingdom.
Migrating birds in the Czech Republic in October.
Feeding on a caterpillar.
Feeding on a caterpillar.
Feeding on a caterpillar.
Feeding on a wasp (Hymenoptera).
Feeding on a spider (Araneae).
Feeding on an insect.
Feeding on birdseed at a feeder.
Feeding on, or among, flowers.
Feeding on insect larvae.
Leaving a bird feeder.
Flying.
Carrying food.
Preening.
Aggressive behavior (with a Eurasian Blue Tit, Cyanistes caeruleus, right).
Nest defense behavior.
Females react to nest intruders with hissing, raised wings, and spread tail.
Caught by a rodent.
Nest in a tree cavity.
Nest in a tree cavity.
Nest in a hole in a wall.
Nest in tree cavity.
Adult visiting a nest box.
Pair visiting a nest box.
A nest with eggs in a nest box.
Nestling leaving the nest box.
Adult gathering moss for nest material.
Adult gathering nest material.
Nest.
Nest.
Eggs.
Eggs.
Eggs.
Female incubating.
Freshly hatched young in the nest.
Nestlings begging for food.
Nestlings begging for food.
Nestlings sleeping.
Nestlings.
Nestlings.
Fully-grown nestlings.
Ready to fledge.
Adult removing a fecal sac from the nest.
Adult feeding begging fledglings.
Adult feeding begging fledglings.
Adult feeding begging fledglings.
Fledgling, lateral view.
Fledgling, ventral view.
Fledgling, dorsal view.
In some places, birds may become tame enough to hand feed.
Macaulay Library Photos for Great Tit
Top-rated photos submitted to the Macaulay Library via eBird. Note: Our content editors have not confirmed the species identification for these photos.
