May the birds bring colour to our lives.

the eurasian blue tit is a small, fast-moving passerine bird found throughout temperate & subarctic europe and portions of western asia. they are typically residents in their range and rarely migrate. these birds are distinct from other species in this range; with a bright blue crown, blue wings, nape and tail, a yellowish green back, and a yellow underside, they’re easy to recognize from sight. their yellow undersides are influenced by how many caterpillars they consume during the spring, as they have high levels of carotene pigment. they are most similar in appearance to the african blue tit, but they do not occupy the same range. while indistinguishable to human eyes, under UV (ultraviolet) rays male eurasian blue tits display a brighter crown than females; like many birds, blue tits can see UV light, and can use this to distinguish male and female birds by sight. these birds are often known for their acrobatic and playful behaviors, often found hanging upside down or contorting into different positions in search of food. during the breeding season, much of the bird’s diet consists of spiders and insects; otherwise, the diet is supplemented with seeds and vegetation; they are also common backyard birds and will take supplemental food like suet from humans. they often peel strips of bark from trees in search of hidden insects - a behavior they sometimes apply to materials like stucco and window putty, making them a nuisance to some unlucky homeowners. on rare occasion, they have been documented killing and eating other birds when food is scarce. during the 1920s, the blue tits learned how to open foil-top milk bottles, and transmitted this knowledge as birds observed the behavior from other birds; due to the lack of popularity of milk delivery, this unique behavior has been extirpated. currently, the eurasian blue tit is considered of ‘least concern’, and are valued in their range as a charming songbird with a wide repertoire of calls and cheerful backyard visitor.