Parus is the classical Latin for a tit and caeruleus is the Latin for dark blue or cerulean. The Eurasian blue tit was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name Parus caeruleus. The birds are famed for their acrobatic skills, as they can hold on to the outermost branches of trees and shrubs and hang upside down when looking for food. Outside the breeding season, they also eat seeds and other vegetable-based foods. The Eurasian blue tit prefers insects and spiders for its diet. Their main rival for nests and in the search for food is the larger and more common great tit. They usually nest in tree holes, although they easily adapt to nest boxes where necessary. It is easily recognisable by its blue and yellow plumage and small size.Įurasian blue tits, usually resident and non-migratory birds, are widespread and a common resident breeder throughout temperate and subarctic Europe and the western Palearctic in deciduous or mixed woodlands with a high proportion of oak. The Eurasian blue tit ( Cyanistes caeruleus) is a small passerine bird in the tit family, Paridae.
