Great tit (Parus major)
The closest relative of the blue tit here in Norway is the great tit. It is considerably larger than the blue tit, weighing on average 17-19 g. The habits are in many ways similar to the blue tit, but the larger size makes the great tit more suited for hopping around on the ground than hanging upside-down in a tall birch. However, both species spend most of their time in the trees looking for insects, or doing whatever tits do. A song sample can be found here.
Breeding numbers are far greater for this species than for the blue tit, and was estimated at 500,000 to 1,000,000 pairs by Gjershaug et al. in 1994. The range of the great tit extends both higher up in the mountains of southern Norway, and further to the north, reaching as far north as Finnmark. Habitat preferences are similar to, but less specific than the great tit. Still broad-leaved forest, preferrably on south-facing slopes beeing free of snow as early as possible in the spring, are the core habitat of the great tit. Conveniently also the great tit loves nesting in the nest boxes we provide, making it easier for us to work with the birds.
Breeding season is similar for the two tit species, but the great tit tends to start egg laying some days after the blue tit. Normal clutch size is 7-9 eggs, and incubation and nestling periods are the same as for the blue tit.
Both species of tits are in general resident, staying in the same area all year round. However, some birds may perform migratory movements, either south and westwards within the country, or even crossing the sea to the British Isles or the European continent (Gjershaug et al. 1994). Such movements seem to be more common and regular for blue tits than for great tits.
Pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)
The pied flycatcher is in many ways quite different from the tits; it performs long distance migrations to spend the winter in western Africa north of the equator; its habitat preferences are broad but more inclined towards coniferous forest; a male often has more than one female; the birds live more or less solitarily during the winter in Africa, and pair formation thus takes place during a few hectic days shortly after arrival to the nesting grounds in the spring. However, in size it is not so different, weighing 11-14 g, and it also readily breeds in the provided nest boxes.
The Norwegian breeding population was estimated at 200,000-1,000,000 pair by Gjershaug et al. 1994. It seems to be stable in numbers, but has increased in the northern parts of the country during the last century and is now found breeding regularily in all counties.
The males arrive at the breeding grounds in late April or eraly May. When the females arrive about a week later, the males have occupied a nest box and sing at their territories to attract a female. After having succeeded at his first territory, up to 10-40% of the males may continue to sing at another nest box several hundred meters away, trying to get hold of another female there. The female then lays a clutch of normally 5-7 eggs on which she sits for about 2 weeks before they hatch. The male feeds her during this period, and after the hatching both parents bring food to the young until they fledge after about 16 days. The parents continue feeding the fledglings for at least one week until they start finding their own food.
References
Gjershaug, J.O., Thingstad, P.G., Eldøy, S. & Byrkjeland, S. (eds.) 1994: Norsk fugleatlas (in Norwegian). Norsk Ornitologisk Forening, Klæbu. 552 pp.
The blue tit is a small, colourful passerine, weighing only about 10-12 g. Despite its small size it is a tough little bird, especially when defending its nest, food, or other valuable resources against conspecifics. It is common throughout most of the lowlands of southern Norway, and can often be seen visiting feeding tables in the gardens during winter time, or breeding willingly in provided nest boxes during summer time. A song sample can be found