17-9-2016 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CRESTED TIT (Lophophanes cristatus)

The European crested tit, or simply crested tit (Lophophanes cristatus ) (formerly Parus cristatus ), is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is a widespread and common resident breeder in coniferous forests throughout central and northern Europe and in deciduous woodland in France and the Iberian peninsula. In Great Britain, it is chiefly restricted to the ancient pinewoods of Inverness and Strathspey in Scotland, and seldom strays far from its haunts. A few vagrant crested tits have been seen in England. It is resident, and most individuals do not migrate.

It is an easy tit to recognise, for besides its erectile crest, the tip of which is often recurved, its gorget and collar are distinctive. It is, like other tits, talkative, and birds keep up a constant zee, zee, zee birdsong (help·info), similar to that of the coal tit.

It makes a nest in a hole in rotting stumps. This bird often feeds low down in trees, but although not shy, it is not always easily approached. It will join winter tit flocks with other species.

Like other tits it is found in pairs and it feeds on insects (including caterpillars) and seeds.

It may not be as colourful as some other tits, the Crested Tit's 'bridled' face pattern and its upstanding black and white crest give it a very distinctive look. Crested Tits feed actively, clinging to trunks and hanging from branches, like most tits, searching for a wide range of insects and pine seeds. They store up lots of food in early winter to last them through to late winter. It is listed as a Schedule 1 species.

Although this species' range extends across large parts of Continental Europe, in Britain & Ireland Crested Tits can only be found in a northern Scotland, largely in the ancient Caledonian pine forests and Scots Pine plantations. Here, Crested Tits can be spotted working their way through the trees in search of pine seeds and invertebrate prey. They are also known to visit garden feeders. In winter, Crested Tits will join flocks with other tit species. At this time of year, Crested Tits will also cache food.

While the Crested Tit's body plumage is not dissimilar to that of a Marsh Tit or even a Coal Tit, its head plumage is unmistakable. It has a black collar, bib and stripe that extends from each eye and curls around the cheek, and then its black and white crest, which can appear extended or flattened back. Pairs make one to two breeding attempts per year, with females excavating a nest in dead wood, which is then lined with moss, lichen, hair or cobwebs before the eggs are laid.