Marsh Tit vs Willow Tit: How to Tell Them Apart

The Marsh Tit is quite similar in appearance to the Willow Tit. It is mostly greyish-brown on top, buffish-grey beneath, with a black area on the top of the head which is shinier than the Willow Tit's. There's also a dark bib-marking on the neck. The cheeks are lighter than the body, the wings have pale edging, there's a light mark on the short bill's base, and the legs are tinged with blue. Juveniles resemble adults and the sexes are similar.

Breeding territory includes woodland with deciduous trees, parkland, farmland with trees, and big gardens with mature growth.

The call is the best way of separating the Marsh Tit from the Willow Tit. Has a 'chip-chip-chip' song and a piercing 'pit-chu' call, proceeded by 'dee, dee'.

The Willow Tit is greyish-brown above and grey-buffish underneath; it has whitish cheeks, a black, matte cap, a large black bib, black bill, and bluish legs. There are pale feathers on the neck and pale edges to the wings in flight, which make a whitish panel when wings are closed. Juveniles resemble adults.

Breeding takes place in woodlands, including mixed, conifer and northern birch. Has a tendency towards damper wooded areas in proximity to running water, and also can be found at reservoirs and gravel pits.

Has a melodious, descending song, and the call is a nasally 'si-si tcha-tcha-tcha'.