Marsh or Willow tit ?

[SKM]

I set up a feeding station in the New forest at Eyeworth Pond today and among many others this little chap appeared. Can someone advise if it is a marsh or willow

Thanks

Stan

[Fieldfare95]

seems to look like a marsh tit to me

[SKM]

Thanks

Thats what I thought but the curve of the black head feathers looked more like a willow in the Collins Bird Guide

stan

[RKB]

It's a Marsh Tit. The Collins isn't very good at dealing with these species.

[darrenm]

agree with the comment about the Collins on the Marsh/Willow Tit identification issue and a much better book if you can get your hands on a 2nd hand copy is the Macmillan Guide to Bird Identification by Harris, Tucker and Vinicombe but very sadly now out of print. It also changes hands for good money on E-bay but if you see one in a second hand book shop grab it quick before anyone else see's it. The same team also did one on birds more common to the Med and Middle East and also a stunning book and well worth owning a copy if you can find one.

Call is also a good indicator of what species you have in front of you and a good way of seperating them once you hear it in the field.