It is not difficult to make the great tit tame enough to eat out of your hand, and by that point, as well as making it used to receiving food regularly, it is not hard to make it whistle either.
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Maximum age:15 years
Eggs and clutches:Incubation two weeks. 8 - 12 eggs, two clutches.
Latin name:Parus major
Description
It is not difficult to make the great tit tame enough to eat out of your hand, and by that point, as well as making it used to receiving food regularly, it is not hard to make it whistle either.
There are further tales of great tits who have solved rather complicated problems; nuts were suspended from strings which most birds tried to reach in their flight. However, some great tit, marsh tit and blue tit individuals chose a more effective method: they would sit on the branch the nuts were suspended from, gripped a string with their beaks and pulled it towards them a bit, stepped on the string with one foot and gripped the string again with their beaks. By using both their beaks and claws in this way these birds were able to pull the nut to them. According to a Norwegian scientist specialised in bird life, this action is considered subject to more than just natural instinct.
Appearance
The great tit is the largest of the European tits, with a black head and white cheek-spot, as well as a black band along the yellow belly. The black band is wider on males, especially on the abdomen. The back is an olive green, whereas the tail and the wings are slightly blue. The beak is rather coarse.
Similar bird
The largest tit. Yellow belly, black crown and white cheeks are typical marks.
Sounds and song
Is the UK bird with what is most likely the richest sound repertoire and sounds vary among individuals.
Song
Contact Call
Warning Call
Food and bird tables
Common guest at the bird table. Insects, seeds, tallow and bread.
The nest and hollows
Likes to nest in nesting boxes, hollow trees, in air ducts and similar places.