ID please

[BROCSMAN]

I've believed for some time that the bird at the feeder is a Marsh Tit, but after seeing a photo in the Gallery of a Willow Tit I'm no longer sure.

This is not a great photo, but it's the best I've got. Can someone ID it from this?

[The Black Rabbit]

Always difficult, though I am of the opinion you were right first time round.
The cap looks long enough and glossy enough to be Marsh.
The upper parts look slightly too grey to be Willow.
Marsh for me, though I could well be wrong.
Listen to it the next time you see it.
The Marsh tit has a VERY distinctive "PITCH-EWW" call -the Willow Tit will not ever sound like this...
Doug


Hmmmm...
Not sure now.
Your bird looks "big headed" enough and "bull-necked" enough to be a Willow...
Sorry!

[ericrovve]

Fairly sure that's a marsh tit. Willow tits usually have more black on the throat

[GuyF]

I'd say Marsh Tit as well, although these 2 are always difficult to separate.
Guy

[BROCSMAN]

Thanks all. I'll listen for its call. Unfortunately it usually has its mouth full when I see it!

I'll keep trying for a better photo.

[ChrisJB]

Pretty certain it's a Marsh.

Regards, Chris

[paulchandler6]

I would go along with Marsh Tit. Though these two can be notorious to separate. Call is always the best bet. but seen well from most angles should not be too much of a problem.
Marsh/Willow Tits were not actually separated as individual species until 1897.

Paul

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

You are so lucky to have these fantastic birds coming to your feeder, I've only seen 3/4 Willow's all together so cannot really help with the ID from a picture, although I could seperate if I heard the call as the Willow Tit is very distinctive

[BROCSMAN]

Yes, we're really lucky here. We're on the edge of woodland in Shropshire, and we get lots of interesting birds. We had four pairs of bullfinches on one occasion, there is a resident spotted woodpecker, and we regularly get a troop of long-tailed tits sweeping through. We've had black caps and goldfinches. I've even seen an occasional treecreeper. Not bad for a garden.

[ChrisJB]

Strange naming isn't it. Marsh Tits seem to prefer quite mature woodland, whilst Willow Tits (sadly declining at an alarming rate), like marshy areas (often with willows though). Habitat preferences is a useful diagnostic tool, but should not be relied on 100 per cent!

Regards, Chris