Coal tits will repeatedly take nuts and seeds from bird tables and cache them for later consumption.

Subspecies
There are 12 races. P.a. britannicus is found in Brtiain, but P.a.ater also occurs rarely. P.a. hibernicus is the Irish race.

Statistics
Length: 10-11.5cm; Wingspan: 17-21cm, 8-10g. Coal tits are the smallest of the true tits.

Physical description
Coal tits are similar in appearance to great tits, but are less colourful. They have a black head with white cheek patches and two narrow white wing-bars. They have greyish-buff underparts, and lack the dark central band that is present in the great tit. Coal tits have an oval white patch on the nape, and may also erect a small crest on the back of the head when agitated. The back is a grey-blue colour. In Ireland, the cheeks and underparts have a yellow tinge.

Distribution
Coal tits are widespread and common over most of their range. They breed in the UK, France and most of Iberia east to the Urals, reaching about 67°N in Norway and Sweden and the White Sea in Russia. In the southern part of their range, they breed on Corsica, Sardinia, Italy, Sicily, Greece, Crete, Cyprus and Turkey. They also breed in the southern Crimea and Caucasus, and in North Africa.

Habitat
They mainly occur in conifer woods, but are also found in mixed forest. They also breed in parks and gardens with suitable conifers.

Diet
Coal tits forage for seeds, insects (especially aphids) and spiders in the treetops. They tend to collect seeds and hoard them for later.

Behaviour
They are a resident species in the UK, but are a short-distance migrant in the north and east of their range. Migrants move towards the south-west. In winter they join with other tits to form flocks which roam through woodlands and gardens in search of food. Their flight is fast and flitting and they hang upside down, and also hover, to reach food on the underside of branches and leaves.

Reproduction
Breeding takes place around late April. Coal tits nest in holes in trees, rocks, roots or in the ground, and they will also use nest-boxes. The nest is a cup of moss lined with hair and wool. The female lays 7-11 eggs, which are white with pink spots. She incubates the eggs for 14-16 days. When they hatch, both parents tend to the chicks, and they fledge after about 18-20 days. Coal tits typically have one, but occasionally two, broods a year.

Conservation status
Coal tits are not considered to be endangered.

Voice
The song is similar to a great tit, but higher-pitched - a repeated 'chuuee-chuuee...'. The call is a high 'see-oo'.