The common name for
Parus Major. The largest member of the
tit family, it can grow up to 14 cm in length. Great tits are very similar in appearance to
blue tits, but with a black cap instead of a blue one and a thick black stripe running down the throat and belly, which are otherwise bright yellow. Males and females look similar, except that the yellow-and-black pattern is bolder on the males. They are very vocal and have a wide range of calls (one source claims more than 80), including a distinctive "
teacher, teacher" song.
Great tits can be found in forests, parks, gardens, hedgerows, and orchards throughout Europe, as well as parts of Asia and northwestern Africa. They feed on seeds, nuts, fruit, and insects.