Great tit

Often mistaken for a blue tit, this large, common garden bird is differentiated from its cousin by its size and the solid black stripe down its front.

Its plumage is green and yellow with a glossy black head and white cheeks. Its song is simple, but recognisable with just two syllables.

Originally a woodland bird, the great tit has adapted well to urban life and is now well-known as a garden bird, turning up in 52 per cent of gardens according to the 2008 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.

In its behaviour, it can be quite aggressive at the bird table, but groups of tits including bluetits and long-tailed tits join great tits foraging for food with groups of great tits.