We take a look at how the marsh tit differs to the similar looking willow tit <\/p>
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Willow tits and marsh tits are easily confused, even by the best birders. In fact, they are so similar that the willow tit was the last regularly breeding British bird to be identified and named in 1897, before that there were only marsh tits. The best way to tell them apart is by their calls. A willow tit has a \u2018zee-zurzur-zur\u2019 call whereas a marsh tit call sounds like \u2018pitchou\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u00a0The pair are very similar in appearance and the differences between them are subtle and sometimes overlapping. The only obvious distinguishing features are the pale edges on some of the willow tit\u2019s flight feathers, which give the appearance of a lighter wing panel, and the pale spot at the base of the upper mandible in the marsh tit \u2013 this species also has a more obvious pale cutting edge to the mandibles.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The black cap of marsh tits is glossier than that of willow tits, and doesn\u2019t extend as far down the nape. Willow tits have larger and less defined bibs than marsh tits, and also have pale cream edges to the wing feathers, which gives the appearance of a pale wing panel when the wings are closed.<\/p>\n The calls and songs are diagnostic, however: the marsh tit\u2019s call is an explosive, sneezing \u2018pitchou\u2019 \u2013 sometimes \u2018pitchou-dee-dee-dee-dee\u2019; the willow tit\u2019s is a nasal-sounding \u2018zee-zur-zur-zur\u2019. And while the marsh tit\u2019s song is a rapid, ringing \u2018swe-swe-swe-swe-swe-swe\u2019, that of the willow tit is a slow, melancholy \u2018tsui-tsui-tsui-tsui\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n