Crested Tit
Lophophanes cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
CI
CRETI
14540
Family: Passeriformes > Paridae
This attractive small tit is only resident in a restricted area of northern Scotland.
Although this species' range extends across large parts of Continental Europe, in Britain & Ireland Crested Tits can only be found in a northern Scotland, largely in the ancient Caledonian pine forests and Scots Pine plantations. Here, Crested Tits can be spotted working their way through the trees in search of pine seeds and invertebrate prey. They are also known to visit garden feeders. In winter, Crested Tits will join flocks with other tit species. At this time of year, Crested Tits will also cache food.
While the Crested Tit's body plumage is not dissimilar to that of a Marsh Tit or even a Coal Tit, its head plumage is unmistakable. It has a black collar, bib and stripe that extends from each eye and curls around the cheek, and then its black and white crest, which can appear extended or flattened back. Pairs make one to two breeding attempts per year, with females excavating a nest in dead wood, which is then lined with moss, lichen, hair or cobwebs before the eggs are laid.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Crested Tit
5.6k records
BTO RECORDS
Identification
Crested Tit identification is usually straightforward.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Crested Tit, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Call
Song
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| UK Birds of Conservation Concern | Green listed |
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | Yes |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
WCA(I,IV),Bern(III) |
POPULATION SIZE
| UK (breeding) | 1000 Pairs (2007) |
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
1678 |
POPULATION CHANGE
Although widespread on the continent, Crested Tits in the UK are restricted to Scottish pinewoods. The trend is uncertain but appears to be stable (Summers & Canham 2001). The breeding Atlas shows a 28% increase in the number of occupied 10-km squares since 1968–72 but this may be at least partly caused by differences in observer coverage.
DISTRIBUTION
The Crested Tit is an iconic species of the pinewoods of northern Scotland, where it has a very restricted distribution. Its core range covers the Caledonian pinewoods of upper Strathspey to the pine plantations of lower Strathspey and the coastal plains of Moray and Nairn. In Easter Ross and east Inverness Crested Tits are found at low densities in pine plantations, especially those containing patches of relict forest.
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Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in breeding season | 59 |
| % occupied in breeding season | 2 |
| No. occupied in winter | 73 |
| % occupied in winter | 2.4 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
Apparent range expansions in winter and the breeding season have mostly occured in the lower-density areas west of the Great Glen and are probably influenced by increased observer effort, particularly in winter. New plantings, especially of Scots Pines, and sympathetic forest management may also be leading to local increases in numbers and range expansion.
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Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution Change 1968–72 to 2008–11.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution Change 1981–84 to 2007–11
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK
| % change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11) | +28.3% |
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +50% |
SEASONALITY
Crested Tit is a very localised breeder and can be encountered year-round in the right habitat.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Crested Tit, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
01–Feb |
|
Egg Size
|
16×13 mm Weight = 1.3 g (of which 6% is shell) |
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
|
Maximum Age from Ringing
|
7 years 11 months 20 days (set in 1997)
|
|
Typical Lifespan
|
2 years with breeding typically at 1 year |
|
Adult Survival
|
0.37
|
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Ring size
|
A |
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: CI | 5-letter code: CRETI | Euring: 14540 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Gaelic: Gulpag-stuic
Catalan: mallerenga emplomallada europea
Czech: sýkora parukárka
Danish: Topmejse
Dutch: Kuifmees
Estonian: tutt-tihane
Finnish: töyhtötiainen
French: Mésange huppée
German: Haubenmeise
Hungarian: búbos cinege
Icelandic: Toppmeisa
Italian: Cincia dal ciuffo
Latvian: cekulzilite
Lithuanian: europine kuoduotoji zyle
Norwegian: Toppmeis
Polish: czubatka (europejska)
Portuguese: chapim-de-poupa
Slovak: sýkorka chochlatá
Slovenian: copasta sinica
Spanish: Herrerillo capuchino
Swedish: tofsmes
Research
Interpretation and scientific publications about Crested Tit from BTO scientists.
CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
Causes of change
A survey in 1992–95 found that 35% of Crested Tit were in native pinewoods with the remaining 65% in Scots pine plantations, suggesting that plantations have helped to maintain the Crested Tit population. However, densities are ten times higher in native woods and hence any benefits of plantations are likely to be limited unless management actions are undertaken to improve habitat for Crested Tits (Summers 2000).
Information about conservation actions
See Summers 2000 re plantations
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Calcium supplementation of breeding birds: directions for future research
- Conservation action on the endemic owls at Lianhuashan Mountains: Final report of project 'OWL 2002'
- The effects of grassland management using fire on habitat occupancy and conservation of birds at a mosaic landscape
Read more studies about Crested Tit on Conservation Evidence >
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