Blue Tits

[gem0688]

Hi,

We have got a bird box with a camera in and since the winter we have had a blue tit that comes every night to roost.

I was just wondering when do blue tits usually start to build nests? We have seen the tit in and out a few times during the day recently and it keeps pecking at the hole outside and tweeting loudly!

Could it be a male that has nests eleswhere and just uses the box for roosting? Or could it be a female still trying to find a mate?

Anyway of telling if it is a female or a male?

When to blue tits usually lay eggs from and until?

Thanks!

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by gem0688

Hi,

We have got a bird box with a camera in and since the winter we have had a blue tit that comes every night to roost.

Birds will roost in a box but may not breed in it or even breed within the imediate area.

Originally Posted by gem0688

I was just wondering when do blue tits usually start to build nests? We have seen the tit in and out a few times during the day recently and it keeps pecking at the hole outside and tweeting loudly!

This behaviour is usually indicative of the nest site selection in this species. Blue tits will generally start to build nests from now into May depending on your latitude, the surrounding habitat, temperature, food availability etc.

Originally Posted by gem0688

Could it be a male that has nests eleswhere and just uses the box for roosting? Or could it be a female still trying to find a mate?

We are still early in the season so could be either. The male would most likely roost in the nest with the female. Females build the nests.

Originally Posted by gem0688

Anyway of telling if it is a female or a male?

There is some overlap but extremes can be sexed. Males have a bright metallic blue wing and cap. Males also have a wider darker neck collar at the back of the head. Females have a paler blue wing with a more of a grey/blue colour to them and a duller cap. The neck collar is less bright and is thinner, however considerable overlap occurs here. Males also have longer wing (with some overlap) but you wouldnt see this in the field.

Originally Posted by gem0688

When to blue tits usually lay eggs from and until?

Usually mid April to mid/late June sometimes earlier though as mentioned before.

[RKB]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

The male would most likely roost in the nest with the female.

Males don't roost with the females, or in the nests. From early spring, the female often roosts in the cavity in which she will nest. The male almost always roosts elsewhere.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by RKB

Males don't roost with the females, or in the nests. From early spring, the female often roosts in the cavity in which she will nest. The male almost always roosts elsewhere.

Cheers for that I didnt realise this was the case.

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by gem0688

Hi,

When to blue tits usually lay eggs from and until?

Thanks!

If you go to the Overview page of our website, you'll find a list of dates of the significant events in our birds' lives since we started recording in 2001.

[witham]

We had blue tits nesting in our camera box last year and one roosting( I presume from the same family) throughout the winter then he/she suddenly stopped coming but we found some feathers nearby so assumed the local sprawk had got it as it always used to pause on the fence or wall before it flew into the box so was a sitting target.

[gem0688]

Thanks everyone, looks like we will just have to be patient and play the waiting game. We really want a nest, would be lovely to see the little babies!!!