Throughout the UK and Europe, the Blue Tit and Great Tit are two common species of tits that are often confused. However, there are distinct differences between them. The Great Tit is larger than the Blue Tit and has darker plumage. It has a dark blue head and lacks the blue wings of the Blue Tit. Great Tits also have bolder personalities and often dominate feeders. On the other hand, Blue Tits have blue heads, white cheeks, and black eye stripes. Both species have a yellow belly. Great Tits are larger in size, weigh double that of Blue Tits, and have a larger wingspan.

Key Takeaways:

• The Great Tit is larger and has darker plumage compared to the Blue Tit.
• Great Tits have a blue head and lack the blue wings of Blue Tits.
• Blue Tits have blue heads, white cheeks, and black eye stripes.
• Both species have a yellow belly.
• Great Tits are larger in size, weigh double that of Blue Tits, and have a larger wingspan.

Distribution Range differences

Blue Tits and Great Tits share similar distribution ranges in Europe and parts of the Middle East. However, there are some notable differences in their habitats and range extension.

Great Tits have a broader distribution and can be found further east and south compared to Blue Tits. They extend their range to countries like Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mongolia, and China. In contrast, Blue Tits primarily inhabit central and western Europe, including countries like Iraq, Iran, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, North Macedonia, and Syria.

With a larger global population estimated at over 1 billion birds, Great Tits have a wider geographical presence. In comparison, there are approximately 44 million Blue Tits worldwide. However, in the UK specifically, Blue Tits are thought to outnumber Great Tits.

	Distribution Range	Habitat
Blue Tits	Central and western Europe, Iraq, Iran, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, North Macedonia, Syria	Woodlands, gardens, parks
Great Tits	Europe, Middle East, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mongolia, China	Forest, woodland, gardens, parks

Understanding the distribution differences between Blue Tits and Great Tits can provide valuable insights into their ecological preferences and help bird enthusiasts and researchers alike in identifying and studying these fascinating avian species.

Which is bigger, a Blue Tit or a Great Tit

Size is one of the key factors that differentiate the Blue Tit and the Great Tit. Great Tits are larger in size compared to Blue Tits. On average, Great Tits measure around 14 cm in length, while Blue Tits are slightly smaller, measuring approximately 12 cm in length. In terms of wingspan, Great Tits have a wingspan of 20 to 25 cm, while Blue Tits have a wingspan of about 18 cm. Great Tits also outweigh Blue Tits, with an average weight of 14 to 22 g, compared to the 11 g weight of Blue Tits.

To summarize, Great Tits are larger in size, have a wider wingspan, and weigh more than Blue Tits. Their overall physical dimensions make Great Tits the largest tit species in the UK. The size difference between the two species is relatively noticeable, making it easier to differentiate them based on their physical characteristics.

	Blue Tit	Great Tit
Length	Approximately 12 cm	Average of 14 cm
Wingspan	About 18 cm	20 to 25 cm
Weight	Around 11 g	14 to 22 g

Other differences between Blue Tits and Great Tits

Blue Tits and Great Tits not only differ in their physical characteristics but also in their behavior, nesting habits, and songs. Understanding these differences can help birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts distinguish between the two species and appreciate their unique traits.

Behavior

Blue Tits are known for their active and skittish behavior. They are constantly on the move, exploring their surroundings and searching for food. Great Tits, on the other hand, are calmer and more purposeful in their actions. They tend to be more dominant at feeding stations and are less easily startled by human presence. Great Tits are also known to feed on the ground more frequently than Blue Tits.

Nesting

Both Blue Tits and Great Tits are cavity nesters, meaning they create their nests in tree holes, nest boxes, or other suitable crevices. However, there are some differences in their nesting habits. Great Tits are known to evict Blue Tits from their nests, often taking over their territories. This aggressive behavior enables Great Tits to secure prime nesting locations and resources. Blue Tits, on the other hand, may try to defend their nests but are typically overpowered by the larger Great Tits.

Songs

One of the most distinctive differences between Blue Tits and Great Tits is their songs. Great Tits have a more fully-featured repertoire of songs, with over 40 different calls recorded. Their songs are often described as clear and melodic, with varying notes and patterns. Blue Tits, on the other hand, have high-pitched trilled songs that are shorter and simpler in comparison. Both species use their songs for communication, attracting mates, and defending territories.

	Blue Tit	Great Tit
Behavior	Active and skittish	Calmer and more purposeful
Nesting	Defended by Great Tits	May evict Blue Tits from nests
Songs	High-pitched trills	Over 40 different calls

Female Blue Tit vs Female Great Tit

When it comes to female Blue Tits and female Great Tits, there are subtle differences in their characteristics and plumage. While these differences may not be as pronounced as those between the male counterparts, they can still help in identifying the species.

Female Blue Tits have slightly duller plumage compared to males, but the differences are less noticeable than in other species. They have a blue head, white cheeks, and black eye stripes, similar to male Blue Tits. The overall coloration of their feathers is similar to that of males, and they lack the thin black stripe on the belly that is characteristic of female Great Tits.

On the other hand, female Great Tits exhibit more pronounced differences compared to males. They have slightly duller plumage overall, with a thinner black stripe on the belly. Although their plumage is still predominantly blue and yellow, it lacks the vibrant colors seen in males. Female Great Tits can be identified by their more subdued appearance and the absence of bold markings.

Female Blue Tit	Female Great Tit
Blue head, white cheeks, and black eye stripes	Slightly duller plumage overall
Similar coloration to male Blue Tits	Thinner black stripe on the belly
No thin black stripe on the belly	Absence of bold markings

While observing female Blue Tits and female Great Tits in the field, paying attention to these subtle differences in plumage can assist in correctly identifying the species. It is important to note that these observations may require a closer inspection, as the differences between females of the two species are less apparent compared to the males.

Juvenile Blue Tit vs Juvenile Great Tit

When comparing juvenile Blue Tits and juvenile Great Tits, there are noticeable differences in their characteristics and plumage. Juvenile Blue Tits have a greenish overall coloration, distinct from the blue plumage of adults. Their feathers lack the black eye stripe that is characteristic of adult Blue Tits. As they mature, the blue plumage and black eye stripe gradually develop, making it easier to identify them as Blue Tits.

On the other hand, juvenile Great Tits are more similar to adults in terms of overall appearance. They have similar plumage patterns, but lack the darker blue stripe and green stomach that mature Great Tits possess. Their feathers appear duller in comparison to the vibrant plumage of adult Great Tits.

To summarize, juvenile Blue Tits display a greenish coloration and lack the blue plumage and black eye stripe found in adults. Meanwhile, juvenile Great Tits exhibit plumage patterns similar to adults, but with duller feathers and the absence of specific features seen in mature individuals.

Juvenile Blue Tit	Juvenile Great Tit
Greenish overall coloration	Plumage patterns similar to adults
No blue plumage or black eye stripe	Lacks darker blue stripe and green stomach
	Duller feathers compared to adults

“Juvenile Blue Tits have a greenish overall coloration, distinct from the blue plumage of adults.”

Additional Observations

• While juvenile Blue Tits and Great Tits may have differences in plumage, they share similar behaviors and habitats with their adult counterparts.
• The distinct characteristics of juvenile Blue Tits and Great Tits enable researchers and bird enthusiasts to track their development and understand their life cycle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Blue Tit and Great Tit may share some similarities, but there are distinct differences that can help with identification. The Great Tit is larger in size and has darker plumage, including a dark blue head. On the other hand, Blue Tits have a blue head, white cheeks, and black eye stripes. Both species have a yellow belly, but Great Tits have a bolder personality and often dominate feeders.

When it comes to habitat and distribution, Great Tits have a larger global population and extend further east and south compared to Blue Tits. While Blue Tits primarily inhabit central and western Europe, Great Tits can be found in countries as far as Mongolia and China. Understanding their distribution range can be helpful in identifying these bird species.

Additionally, their behavior, nesting habits, and songs also differ. Great Tits are more calm and purposeful in their actions, while Blue Tits are more active and skittish. Great Tits have a more fully-featured repertoire of songs, while Blue Tits have high-pitched trilled songs. These behavioral differences can provide further clues for identification.

By recognizing these distinguishing characteristics and behaviors, bird enthusiasts can easily differentiate between Blue Tits and Great Tits, enhancing their ability to appreciate and observe these fascinating avian species in their natural habitats.

Source Links

• https://birdfact.com/articles/blue-tit-vs-great-tit
• https://gardenbirds.net/great-tit/
• https://www.insidemynest.com/2022/04/25/blue-tit-or-great-tit-how-to-tell-the-difference/