Some of the most elegant robbers I’ve ever seen!
For years, my garden was a monoculture territory ruled by the great tit. They settled in, nested at my neighbor’s, and ruled the feeder with an iron fist. I was convinced that another tit species would never appear. Until the last days of September.
A pair of blue tits suddenly showed up. I don’t know where their nest is, but since then they come almost every day to elegantly rob my supplies of crushed nuts. And I must admit – they are some of the most elegant robbers I’ve ever seen!
The blue tit is a true lady. She has a lemon-yellow belly, and across her head is something resembling a little blue cap, with a tunic of the same color on her back. She looks like she just stepped out of a bird boutique.
My great tits, those territorial gangsters, try to chase them away from the feeder. The key word is – try. They do it so clumsily, as if they don’t really feel like it. One threatening hop, and the blue tit doesn’t even flinch. It’s pure bird instinct, without any real malice. As if they’re ticking off a duty – “okay, I tried, now back to eating”. And I, with my morning coffee, watch this quiet backyard war.
And the blue tits? They don’t care. They peck, they look around, and they pick the best bits.
One important note. Don’t be fooled by their beauty. Under that blue-and-yellow appearance lies the instinct of a ruthless warrior. Blue tits can destroy the eggs of other birds if they compete for nesting sites. It’s a strategy for eliminating rivals. Elegant, but ruthless.
Their memory and intelligence match that of the great tits. In autumn and winter, they hide seeds and dead insects in various spots, and thanks to their excellent memory, they find them even weeks later.
And this brings us to an absolutely brilliant fun fact. It turns out, scientists discovered that blue tits are bird snobs!
Research showed that they choose their partners based on the intensity of the blue color on their back and the top of their head. The deeper and purer the shade, the more attractive the male is. Why? Because the color intensity is linked to health and condition. It’s an effect of feather structure and light reflection, and a stronger color indicates a good diet and lack of parasites. Males with more intense coloration have a better chance of finding a mate and raising offspring. Looks matter!
Additionally, blue tits see in ultraviolet light. What is just plain blue to us holds additional patterns and intensity for them. Adult males literally glow in UV, especially on their head and back.
So, looking at this pair in my garden now, I know these aren’t just any random birds. These are aristocrats in blue tailcoats – a combination of cold efficiency and elegance. I feel honored by their visit. My backyard has just gained a new, exclusive level!
