Azure tit

Cyanistes cyanus

Photo by Krzysztof Blachowiak (Internet Bird Collection)

Common name:
azure tit (en); chapim-de-cabeça-branca (pt); mésange azurée (fr); herrerillo azul (es); lasurmeise (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Paridae

Range:
This species is found from eastern Poland and Finland, through western and southern Russia, and into Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, north-western China and Mongolia.

Size:
These birds are 12-13 cm long and weigh 8-10 g.

Habitat:
The azure tit is mostly found in temperate and sub-Arctic deciduous and mixed forests, scrublands and marshes, and also in high altitude scrublands, agricultural areas and even in tropical swamp forests on the southernmost parts of their range. It is present from sea level up to an altitude of 2.500 m.

Diet:
During spring and summer they feed on insects and other invertebrates, while during the rest of the year they feed mostly on seeds, nuts and berries.

Breeding:
Azure tits nest in a hole in a tree or wall, where the female lays about 10, but up to 15 eggs in favourable habitat. The eggs are white with with reddish-brown spots and are incubated for 13-14 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge 17-20 days after hatching.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is described as common and widespread.
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.