What kind of bird is the great tit? An updated explanation of its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. Wild birds of Japan

What kind of bird is the great tit? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. Great tits live mainly in Japan and are widely distributed in East Asia and other areas. There are many subspecies, so we will introduce them all together.

What is titmouse? About basic status

The titmouse is a bird that belongs to the genus Tittidae in the family Tittidae. The total length is only 14-20cm and the weight is 11-20g. The scientific name is Parus minor and the Japanese name is Chickadee.

Japanese（和名）	シジュウカラ
English（英名）	Japanese tit Eastern Great Tit Oriental Tit
scientific name(学名)	Parus minor
classification（分類）	Ave、 Passeriformes、Paridae、Parus 鳥綱、スズメ目、シジュウカラ科、シジュウカラ属
IUCN Status(保全状況)	LEAST CONCERN
Length（全長）	14cm
Weight（体重）	20g

What are the roots and origins of the Japanese Tit?

The Japanese Tit (scientific name: Parus minor) is a small bird belonging to the family Paridae (tits and chickadees) within the order Passeriformes. The Japanese population is considered to have diverged from a lineage of tits that evolved on the Eurasian continent.

Ancestors: The “Tit” group from tens of millions of years ago

The ancestors of the Paridae family evolved from the lineage of the Passeriformes (perching birds), a group that is relatively recent in the history of birds.

The general evolutionary progression is as follows:

Dinosaurs (Theropods)
↓
Primitive birds
↓
Ancestors of Passeriformes (diversified after approx. 50 million years ago)
↓
Paridae family
↓
Parus genus
↓
Modern Japanese Tit

Origins on the Eurasian continent

Modern tits are widely distributed across Eurasia, including:

Europe

Russia

China

The Korean Peninsula

Japan

Ancestral tits evolved in temperate forest environments, developing:

Small bodies

Strong legs

The ability to move freely among tree branches

Slender beaks for catching insects

Japanese Tits diverged from the continental lineage

The Japanese Tit (Parus minor) was formerly classified as the same species as the Great Tit (Parus major) found in Europe and other regions.

However, genetic research revealed that populations in:

Japan

The Korean Peninsula

Eastern China

…belong to a distinct lineage, and they are now classified separately as Parus minor.

Why did they evolve independently in Japan?

The reason lies in the geographical characteristics of the Japanese archipelago.

Starting several million years ago, factors such as:

Isolation by the sea

Climate change

Changes in forest environments

…caused them to separate from the ancestral populations on the continent and adapt to the environment of the Japanese archipelago. As a result, it has evolved into the Japanese tit we see today—a bird capable of breeding in sync with Japan’s four seasons, possessing the stamina to remain active even in winter, and able to adapt to urban environments.

About classification

There are the following subspecies of titmouse: The following is a quote from Wikipedia.

• Parus minor minor Temminck & Schlegel, 1848 シジュウカラ
• Parus minor amamiensis Kleinschmidt, 1848 アマミシジュウカラ
• Parus minor commixtus Swinhoe, 1868
• Parus minor dageletensis Kuroda & Mori, 1920
• Parus minor nigriloris Hellmayr, 1900 イシガキシジュウカラ
• Parus minor nubicolus Meyer de Schauensee, 1946
• Parus minor okinawae Hartert, 1905 オキナワシジュウカラ
• Parus minor tibetanus Hartert, 1905

classification

階級	分類
界	動物界（Animalia）
門	脊索動物門（Chordata）
綱	鳥綱（Aves）
目	スズメ目（Passeriformes）
科	シジュウカラ科（Paridae）
属	シジュウカラ属（Parus）
種	シジュウカラ（Parus major）

About habitat

Great tits are active in Japan, China, the Korean Peninsula, southern Russia, and even Southeast Asia.

1. Distribution Range

Worldwide Distribution

Widely distributed throughout Europe and Asia (Middle East, Siberia, India, East Asia)

Also found in parts of North Africa

Within Japan

Distributed nationwide from Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu

Distribution ranges vary slightly depending on the subspecies (e.g., P. m. major in Hokkaido, P. m. minor south of Honshu).

2. Habitat

The great tit is highly adaptable and can live in a variety of environments.

Forests

Deciduous broadleaf forests, mixed forests, coniferous forests, etc.

Urban and rural environments

Also found in parks, gardens, and around farmland.

Nesting Sites

Uses tree hollows and nest boxes.

If no tree hollows are available, they can breed in crevices in buildings or artificial nest boxes.

3. Altitude and Climate Adaptation

Widely distributed from plains to mountains

Can survive winter in cold regions (can tolerate the cold if food is available)

feature is? What kind of creature is it?

Great tits live in forests from the plains to mountains, but they are often seen in urban and residential areas, and are often seen by humans. The feathers are bluish gray or blackish brown on the upper side and light brown on the underside. The top of the head is covered with black feathers, and there are white markings on the cheeks and back of the neck. Males can be distinguished from females because of their many markings and the black vertical line that runs from the throat to the lower tail tube. They are resident birds and tend to flock in large numbers.

1. Appearance (External Characteristics)

Total Length: Approximately 14-16cm

Weight: Approximately 18-21g

Head: Characteristic black “tie pattern”

Back: Olive green

Belly: Yellow with a black vertical line down the middle

Wings: Gray with white edges

Tail: Gray with a white tip

Beak: Small, pointed, suitable for pecking at insects and seeds

*Sex and males look almost identical, but males tend to have a thicker black line on their chest and darker black on their face.

2. Behavior and Habits

Omnivorous

Eats insects, spiders, nuts, seeds, etc.

In winter, they also use sunflower seeds and garden feeders.

Social

Usually travels in small flocks.

In winter, they may form mixed flocks with other birds (such as great tits and long-tailed tits).

Nesting

Nests in tree holes (tree cavities).

Artificial nest boxes are also readily available.

Voice and Calls

They often make the “chutsupi” or “chupitupi” sound.

They use their calls to mark their territory and communicate with others.

3. Ecological Characteristics

Activity: Daytime (diurnal)

Breeding Season: April–July

Lifespan: Average of 2–3 years in the wild, ideally 5 years.

Flight: Quick, short, and bounds from branch to branch.

What does the ecology look like?

Great tits are omnivorous, subsisting on fruits, seeds, insects and spiders. Among other things, they sometimes eat moss. The nest is built inside a narrow hole. The reproductive form is oviparous. They lay approximately 7-10 eggs from April to July. The incubation period is about 2 weeks. The chicks then hatch. The lifespan of a great tit is about 1 to 3 years.

1. Diet and Foraging Behavior

Omnivorous

Mainly feeds on insects (caterpillars, aphids, wasp larvae, etc.)

Also eats nuts, seeds, and fruit

In winter, they also use sunflower seeds and peanuts from garden feeders

Foraging Methods

Perches on tree branches and leaves and pecks with its beak

May also catch insects in the air

Food Storage

Sometimes hides food in crevices in tree bark or under fallen leaves

2. Breeding

Breeding Season: April to July

Nest Building

Uses tree cavities and old nests

Often uses artificial nest boxes

Eggs

Approximately 6-12 eggs per breeding

Eggs are whitish in color with brown spots

Raising

Females primarily incubate the eggs

Males provide support by bringing food

After hatching, both parents feed the young, and they leave the nest in about two weeks

3. Sociality/Flocking

Usually lives in small flocks

In winter, they may form mixed flocks with other titmice or long-tailed tits

Territoriality

During the breeding season, males use vocalizations to mark their territory

They identify allies and predators through vocalizations

4. Behavior/Activity Patterns

Diurnal: Active from morning to evening

Flight: Moves from branch to branch in short, hopping movements

Wintering Behavior: Can survive winter in cold regions if food is available

Are there any natural enemies?

Snakes are the greatest natural enemy of great tits. When a natural predator approaches, they make a special call to alert their friends. The sound is very special and you can hear it even from the hive.

About Molting

The Japanese Tit undergoes a “complete molt” once a year. It replaces almost all of its old feathers with new ones to prepare for the coming season.

■ Adults

Mainly late summer to autumn (around July–October)

Molting begins after the breeding season ends.

Process:

May–July

Rearing of young concludes

Recovery of physical strength

↓

July–September

Transition from summer plumage to new plumage

Feathers are replaced gradually while maintaining flight capability

↓

Autumn

New plumage for winter is fully grown

■ Juveniles (born that year)

Molting from juvenile plumage to immature plumage occurs around June–August

Fledglings have:

A faint black “tie” pattern on the chest

Overall paler feather colors

A strong yellowish tint

However, after their first molt, they take on an appearance close to that of an adult.

Which feathers are replaced?

In the Japanese Tit’s complete molt:

① Flight feathers (wing feathers)

Crucial feathers for flight

Replaced while maintaining left-right balance

② Tail feathers

Important for steering

Replaced over the course of several weeks

③ Body feathers

Chest

Back

Neck

Head

Feathers across the entire body are replaced.

About Their Calls

The Japanese Tit (Parus minor) is known for having an exceptionally wide variety of calls and for engaging in communication that conveys a significant amount of information. Rather than just simple “singing,” they use distinct sounds to convey specific meanings to one another.

■ “Tsupee-tsupee” / “Tsupin, tsupin”

(Song)

Season: Approximately February to July (breeding season)

Primarily produced by males.

Purpose:

Attracting females

Declaring territory

Warning other males

Characteristics:

Bright, high-pitched sound

Repeated at a steady rhythm

Slight variations between individuals

Commonly heard in forests and residential areas during spring.

■ “Pii-tsupi” / “Chi-chi-chi”

(Contact call)

Used year-round

Purpose:

Communicating with others

Maintaining the flock

Confirming locations while moving

Often heard when multiple birds are active together in winter.

■ “Ji-ji-ji” / “Dji-dji-dji”

(Alarm call)

Produced when the bird senses danger.

Targets:

Cats

Crows

Birds of prey

Humans

Etc.

Serves to alert others to danger.

Seasonal Activities

The Japanese Tit (Shijūkara) is a resident bird found in Japan year-round, and its lifestyle changes significantly with the seasons. Its activities center on breeding in spring, raising young in summer, molting in autumn, and flocking in winter.

🌸 Spring (March–May)

Season for breeding preparations and territorial disputes

This is the period of peak activity.

Key behaviors

Males sing vigorously

Securing territory

Forming pairs

Searching for nesting cavities

Calls

“Tsu-pi, tsu-pi”

“Tsu-pin, tsu-pin”

Beautiful songs like these become more frequent.

Food

Caterpillars

Moth larvae

Spiders

Insects

They actively seek high-protein food in preparation for breeding.

☀️ Summer (June–August)

Season for raising young and fledgling development

This is the busiest time of year for the Japanese Tit.

Nest building

Locations used:

Tree hollows

Nest boxes

Gaps in buildings

Holes in utility poles

Etc.

Raising young

Parent birds carry food dozens to hundreds of times a day.

Chicks’ staple diet:

Green caterpillars

Spiders

Insect larvae

Larvae are particularly important for growth.

Late summer (July–August)

After rearing ends:

Fledglings become independent

They move in family flocks

Adults begin molting

Activity levels drop slightly during molting, as damaged feathers reduce flight capability.

🍂 Autumn (September–November)

Molting and preparation for winter

A season for renewing their plumage and body condition.

Key activities

Complete molt

Replacing old feathers with new ones

Scouting winter feeding grounds

Flock formation

Territorial instincts weaken, and they may form mixed-species flocks.

Birds they flock with:

Varied Tit (Yamagara)

Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker (Kogera)

Japanese White-eye (Mejiro)

Long-tailed Tit (Enaga)

Etc.

Food

As insects decrease, they also consume:

Tree nuts/berries

Seeds

Tree buds

Fruit

❄️ Winter (December–February)

A season of flocking and energy conservation

To withstand the cold, they move in flocks rather than acting alone.

Behavior

Forming mixed-species flocks

Sharing feeding grounds

Constantly remaining alert to their surroundings

In the winter forest,

“Chi-chi-chi…”

…you can often hear the calls they use to communicate with one another.

About Flight Speed

Although the Japanese tit is a small bird, it excels at quick, short-distance flight. Unlike pigeons or ducks, which fly long distances at a steady pace, the Japanese tit is adapted for agile flight, moving from branch to branch within the forest.

Flight Speed

The Japanese tit’s normal flight speed is estimated to be:

Approximately 20–30 km/h

However, this varies depending on the flight style.

Flight Style	Estimated Speed ​​
Moving between branches / Normal flight	Around 20 km/h
Fleeing from danger	Approx. 30–40 km/h
Short-distance rapid acceleration	Can exceed the above

*Note: Small birds experience significant speed fluctuations during flight, making it difficult to measure an exact average speed.

Flight Characteristics

Japanese tits engage in typical flapping flight.

Characteristics:

They often exhibit an “undulating flight” pattern:

Flap a few times

Close wings and glide

Flap again

This offers several advantages:

✅ Conserves energy

✅ Makes it easier to navigate narrow spaces in the forest

✅ Allows for quick escape from predators

Body Size and Flight Ability

Japanese tit physique:

Body length: Approx. 14 cm

Weight: Around 14 g

Wingspan: Approx. 22–25 cm

Their very lightweight bodies allow them to excel at:

Making sharp turns

Stopping suddenly

Landing on slender branches

Flight Distance

Typical movements usually cover:

A few meters to several tens of meters

In the forest, they repeat the cycle of:

“Fly → Perch on a branch → Forage for food”

However, during seasonal migrations or dispersal, they may travel several kilometers or more.

About Great Tit Chicks

This article provides a detailed summary of the characteristics and developmental stages of great tit (Parus major) chicks.

1. Eggs and Hatching

Egg Laying: Approximately 6-12 eggs per breeding

Egg Size: Approximately 18 x 14 mm

Egg Color: White with brown spots

Incubation Period: Approximately 13-14 days (mainly female)

Hatching: Chicks emerge from eggs

2. Chick Characteristics

Immediately After Hatching

Hairless, eyes closed

Low body temperature, requiring warmth from parents

Several Days After Hatching

Skin Pink

Uses small beak to receive food provided by parents

Growth Rate

Weight Gains Daily

Feathers Begin to Grow in About a Week

3. Feeding and Growth

Parental Roles

Both parents (especially the male) bring food to the chicks.

They provide them with insects and small bugs for nutrition.

Growth Stages

Hatching to 1 week: Eyes remain closed, with almost no feathers.

1-2 weeks: Feathers begin to grow, and they can maintain their body temperature on their own.

2 weeks and beyond: Fledglings: They begin practicing flight and prepare to leave the nest.

4. Fledgling

Fledgling Period: Approximately 14-18 days after hatching.

After Fledgling

Flying is unsteady at first.

They learn by being fed by their parents.

They become independent within a few weeks.

5. Caution

Chicks are very sensitive and easily affected by humans and predators around the nest.

They can die from cold or lack of food.

Is the great tit an endangered species?

Great tits as a whole are not an endangered species.

1. Conservation Status

IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List:

Rating: Least Concern (LC)

Reason: Wide distribution and stable population

Status in Japan:

A common wild bird found nationwide

Seen in urban parks and gardens

No special conservation measures necessary

2. Reasons for Stability

Highly Adaptable

Can live not only in forests but also in urban areas and farmland

Omnivorous

Rich in food, including insects, nuts, and seeds

Adapts to artificial nest boxes

Can breed using nest boxes set up by humans

3. Caution

Deforestation and environmental pollution have caused local declines

However, overall, populations are stable and the risk of extinction is low

Can tits be kept as pets?

It would be difficult to keep wild tits in captivity. They don’t feel attached to humans. Also, keeping wild birds is prohibited under Japanese law. This bird can also be seen in manga, dramas, and images. There are many photos in the encyclopedia, so take a look.

1. Legal Issues

In Japan, wild tits are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, and capturing or raising them without permission is prohibited.

This means that it is illegal to keep a wild-caught specimen at home.

If you wish to keep one, you will need special permission or it must be kept for research purposes.

2. Ecology and Difficulties

Strong Wildness

Difficult to Domesticate

Difficult to Domesticate

Unique Diet

Requires a balanced diet of insects and fruit, making feeding in an average household difficult

Requires ample space for exercise

Due to their flying habits, they are prone to stress and health problems in small cages

Calls and Behavior

Because they are not habituated to people, they fly around actively and are often difficult to keep quiet in captivity.

3. Alternatives

If you want to keep a small bird, we recommend captive species such as canaries, budgerigars, and Java sparrows.

In Japan, these birds are easy to raise, available at pet shops, and do not pose any conservation issues.