The Average Lifespan Of A Blue Tit

Easily one of the most colourful garden visitors, the Blue Tit (scientific name Cyanistes caeruleus) is a common species that readily visit any garden. The Blue Tit has blue colouration on its wings, back, and on top of its head, and a bright yellow chest.

They are entertaining to watch, as they are so energetic. Blue Tits will swing, hang, and contort themselves while feeding on a bird feeder. They are especially fond of peanut feeders, as they will almost immediately appear if one of those feeders is placed in the garden.

What does the average life of a Blue Tit look like?

Blue Tits live an average of 3 years and therefore it is not uncommon to see the same birds year after year. 

Background & Identifiers

Tits are part of the Paridae family, which includes chickadees and titmice. Blue Tits are smaller birds with an average body length of 12 cm and a wingspan averaging 18 cm. They can weigh around 10 grams, which is about the same as a tablespoon of butter. Adult Blue Tits are beautifully coloured and can be identified by the following characteristics:

  • The tail and wings are blue-grey, with the wings exhibiting a single white stripe on the upper portion of the wing
  • The back is a green-blue colour that can appear slightly duller in comparison to the wings
  • The chest and underbelly are bright yellow and contain a black stripe in the middle. The underside of the tail is a paler yellow
  • The head is mostly white but has a dark blue collar and chin, and a black eye stripe. The top of the head is blue and similar in colour to the wings
  • The beak is short and black. The legs are dark grey while the eyes are black
  • Females are of the same colouration and markings but tend to be dull in comparison to the males
  • Juveniles exhibit no blue cap or white cheeks, but have the same colouration on the body, albeit duller than adults
  • Their call sounds like a “ti-ti-ti-chuuuuu” and is very distinct. Follow this link to listen

Blue Tits are often confused with Great Tits as they have similar colouration on their wings and bodies. However, Great Tits are larger and have a black cap of colouration on their heads instead of blue. 

A Blue Tit’s Year

Blue Tits do not tend to migrate or even relocate, so they can be seen year-round. Below is a monthly breakdown of the average life of Blue Tits.

February

This is typically the time when Blue Tits can be seen searching for a nest site or home. They require a clear and direct path to the entrance and the area needs to be safe from predators. Blue Tits also begin looking for a mate around this time. 

March

This month marks the beginning of the breeding season. Blue Tits will require a lot of energy for producing eggs and preparing to raise their young. Leave out foods rich in nutrients such as suet, black sunflower seeds, fat balls, and peanuts. 

April

Time to begin building the nest! Blue Tit females will build the nest alone, while the male stands watch for predators and other males. The process of building the nest can be accomplished in as little as two days or it can take as long as two weeks. 

The nest begins with a layer of moss that is formed into the shape of a cup. Then the female will layer in soft materials such as feathers, fur, wool, leaves, and spider webs.

Blue Tits will build their nests in the cracks of trees or walls but are not opposed to manmade nest boxes. If you want a Blue Tit to nest in a provided nest box, make sure it is 2 to 4 metres off the ground. This direction will help to protect the box from excessive heat and rain.

May

In late April or early May, the female Blue Tit will begin laying her eggs. She will lay one egg per day, first thing in the morning. A Blue Tit can lay up to 16 eggs, but the average clutch size is 8 to 12 eggs. The incubation period is approximately two weeks and begins as soon as the last egg is laid.

Female Blue Tits will create a brood patch, which is when feathers are plucked from the abdomen to create a bare patch of skin to help keep the eggs warm. Typically, the Blue Tit male will feed his mate during the incubation period, but she will occasionally leave the nest to feed. Once the incubation period is complete, the chicks will hatch.

Blue Tit chicks hatch bare and blind, which leaves them extremely vulnerable to cold weather and predators. Chicks can eat up to 100 caterpillars a day, so the parents are constantly fluttering in and out of the nest to keep up with the demand. By the end of May, the chicks will be covered in feathers and be on the verge of being fledglings. 

June

Fledglings are encouraged to explore their surroundings but stay close to the nest. The fledgling period for Blue Tits lasts several weeks. During this time, the parents are still the main providers of food for the young. 

June & July

Fledglings learn how to fly, find food, and avoid predators during the months of June and July. Approximately two-thirds of juvenile Blue Tits will not survive their first year. The ones that do survive will be able to breed the following spring. 

Winter

The colder months are difficult for Blue Tits. Most Blue Tits do not migrate and so they will stay relatively close to where they were hatched. In urban settings, Blue Tits rely heavily on food being provided to them in the winter by humans and will frequently be seen visiting nest boxes.

LINK FOR BIRD CALL NOISE: https://youtu.be/CD9kOMiSZQE