The Coaltit (Periparus ater) is a common songbird that breeds across temperate and subtropical Eurasia and northern Africa. It is commonly spotted in conifer woodland and forest, but can also be found in gardens and parks.
They are often seen at garden feeders where they will feed on a variety of seeds and nuts. During the winter months, they ‘cache’ food to eat later in the cold.
Where to find them
How to Photograph The Coaltit
One of the easiest ways to get close up photographs of this bird is by using a garden bird feeder. These birds are particularly fond of peanut and suet feeders, plus love a good dose of black sunflower seeds.
The Coaltit is a small bird with a distinctively large white nape spot. The head and throat are glossy blue-black, with the underparts whitish shading to buff and rufous on the flanks. The wing coverts are white with two small wingbars.
Unlike many birds, the coal tit is a year-round resident of its habitat in Europe and North Africa. During winter it joins with other tit species to form flocks in search of food.
It is also a voracious eater and will eat just about anything from insects to conifer seeds and even berries. It can be seen at all times of the day and night but is most active in the early morning and evenings, when temperatures are lower.
The Coaltit has to be one of the most impressive looking birds in the wild. They have a large head, a surprisingly small body and the largest beak of any songbird in the world. They also have a number of other features which are worthy of note, such as a long and elegant tail. It’s not easy to see them from the ground but they are usually spotted flying low over grass or in the trees and on the ground.
What they eat
How to Photograph The Coaltit
One of the smallest birds in our tit family, it is also one of the most tame. It’s very common to see them sitting on peanut and suet feeders, often not flying off until you’re within a few feet.
They like to eat a variety of things, including spiders, insects, conifer seeds and nuts but they particularly enjoy mealworms and black sunflower seeds. Leaving these out for them in your garden will attract them but they are often shy at bird feeders so be prepared to wait a while until they come back to feed again.
During feeding, coal tits keep contact with other birds by incessant short dee or see-see calls, which resemble the song of the great tit but are much faster and higher in pitch. They sing most frequently from January to June, but also in autumn.
During winter, they join with other tit species to form flocks, and often hang upside down on branches, looking for food. They are also apt at storing food, which is a good reason why they survive well in cold weather. They are incredibly dexterous when searching for food, and often flit between branches and seed cones in dense conifer foliage. They are also renowned for clinging to the underside of tree branches to pull out hibernating insects. They are also known to eat very large foods, such as beech mast and acorns: holding the food with their feet whilst pecking at it with their beak.
Camera lenses
How to Photograph The Coaltit
One of the key ingredients to taking good photos is a good camera lens. This is especially true when it comes to telephoto lenses that are capable of taking photographs of distant birds. Generally, you want a lens with a focal length of at least 400mm, although the best bet is to use a telephoto extender for even greater reach. The Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM is an excellent example of this type of lens and the results you can get from using it are impressive. Alternatively, if cost is a major factor, you could consider buying a third-party telephoto lens that has the same focal length and performance.
Shutter speed
How to Photograph The Coaltit
Like many small songbirds, the coal tit spends most of its time feeding and roosting in the daytime. They usually wake up early, eat quickly and then go back to sleep late in the evening. This makes them good for taking photos of, as they won’t be able to hide away too long and you can often capture them as they fly off to feed again. The best way to do this is to set your camera up near a feeder and take a lot of photos over a few days.
When you’re photographing birds, you need as wide a field of view as possible and this means using a lens with a long focal length. This is especially important if you want to get close to the bird. It may sound a bit counterintuitive, but the longer your lens, the more likely you are to be able to take good photographs in low light.
Best times of the day to see them
How to Photograph The Coaltit
Taking a picture of a coaltit is not as tricky as you might think. They’re a common sight at garden feeders, and are also a popular nesting bird, particularly in coniferous forests. A little bit of hard work, a few feeders and some patience will see you well on your way to some great photos.
The best time to photograph a coaltit is probably in the early evening or during a quiet weekday when there are fewer people around. It’s also easier to get close to the birds, especially if they’re feeding in the trees.
You might even be lucky enough to have a tame coaltit or two on your doorstep.
Nesting habits
How to Photograph The Coaltit
One of the best ways to take photos of birds is to get up close. A fast lens with a focal length of 300mm+ is recommended, as well as a tripod to prevent your camera from moving.
The Coal Tit breeds in the UK during spring, laying between 3-10 eggs and incubating them with both parents. It usually hatches around 18 days later.
They nest in a variety of places, including holes in tree stumps or other trees, burrows of mice and squirrels, and old woodpecker cavities or chinks between rotten branches. The nesting site is woven together with grass or moss and lined with fur or feathers.
They also like to ‘cache’ seeds, which is the practice of hiding food for when it might be needed in the future. This is another reason why they are able to survive so well in cold weather. They can also eat fruit, insects and seeds, so you can find them at bird feeders throughout the year.
