Coal tit

Periparus ater

About

The Coal tit is the smallest of our tits: about 11 cm long and weighing only 8–10 g. It is a typical bird of moist coniferous forests, so in the Carpathians, it is easiest to encounter among spruces and firs. In the Polish mountains, it nests up to an altitude of 1500 m, while in Ukraine, it inhabits forest and partially forest-steppe zones. The Coal tit is both resident and migratory, remaining in the mountains during winter.

The head and throat are black with a sheen, the cheeks are white, and there is a white spot on the nape, which distinguishes this tit from all others. The back is olive-gray, with two white transverse stripes on the wings, and the underside is whitish with an ochre tint. There is no yellow coloration, as seen in the Great tit.

While foraging, flocks of Coal tits continuously call out with short, thin 'si-si' sounds. Their song is a piercing, rapid 'tsi-vi, tsi-vi, tsi-vi', similar to the song of the Great tit but higher and faster. It is most often heard from January to June, as well as in autumn. In winter, Coal tits travel in mixed flocks with other tits, creepers, and woodpeckers.

They build nests in tree cavities, mainly in coniferous trees: in natural hollows of decayed trunks and stumps, sometimes in old woodpecker holes. Usually, in May, the female lays 7–11 white eggs with red speckles. The Coal tit is not listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

Where in the Carpathians

fewermore11 338 records in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries: Slovakia · Poland · Romania · Czechia · Ukraine · Hungary · Serbia · Austria · BG
Mountain ranges: Volovec Mountains, Moravian-Silesian Beskids, High Tatras, Western Tatras, Börzsöny and Cserhát, Skole Beskids, Silesian Beskids, Bucegi Mountains, Żywiec Beskids, Low Tatras
Altitude belts: Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m)

When to see it

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Sightings

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Protection and rules

Not listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of Ukraine

FAQ

How to distinguish the Coal tit from the Great tit?

The Coal tit is significantly smaller, lacks yellow coloration, and has a white spot on the black nape. The Great tit has a yellow belly and a black stripe on its chest.

Which tits live in the spruce forests of the Carpathians?

The most characteristic is the Coal tit, the smallest of our tits, which inhabits coniferous forests.

Similar species

Red crossbillLoxia curvirostraA bird with a crossed bill that extracts seeds from cones. A resident of spruce forests, capable of nesting even in winter.

In season nowEurasian nuthatchSitta europaeaThe only bird in our forests that descends the trunk headfirst. It whistles loudly in old forests and muds the entrance to its hole.

In season nowEurasian bullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaA sturdy bird with a red breast and a black cap. It nests in the Carpathian forests and decorates gardens in winter.

Where to meet it

Trails and peaks near which naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, iNaturalist), matched by altitude and habitat. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Sources

GBIF · iNaturalist · Wikidata · Distribution data: GBIF.org (CC0 and CC BY records), iNaturalist; names and identifiers: Wikidata (CC0). Text: Karpaty.rocks, checked 09.11.2026.