TheTitmouse family (Parus)

Birds of the Parus family are among my favourites of those which feed in the garden. In the British Isles they are called the Titmouse. And in North America the Chickadee. With the cold weather it was important for them to keep well fed, as with all the other birds in the garden. The suet coconut halves were a good alternative to my homemade peanutcake. The 3 Robins try and rule the roost over these valuable energy sources, as do 2 members of the Great Tit, Parus major, the largest member of the Titmouse family. These too are very territorial birds and it is not easy for the little ones to get hold of that which is in the feet of birds like the Great Tit, or Robin.
This Blue Tit approached very carefully before she dared jumping onto the suet where the Great Tit was eating. Her mate followed her every move. Probably waiting for a chance to get an entry into the Great Tit's domain too.

2 Blue Tits, Parus caeruleus.
1 Great Tit, Parus makor. (on the left)

Blue Tit.

Another big favourite in my garden are suet pellets. These provide the birds with instant and manageable energy in a small form. It is the Robin's favourite for years already and the Blue and Coal Tits starting feeding on them last year sometime. You'd assume that they eat a small piece at the time, don't you? not so; These two pictures show that they feed on them from the inside out! Very smart.



Some more Blue Tit pictures.




In Ireland the Coal Tit, Parus ater( hibernica) , is a recognised sub specie with yello-ish cheeks among its features.. This one however is not willing to show any of these today.
Coal Tit, Parus ater.
It is more interested in finding something to eat!
Eureka.
Keeping watch.

Song Thrush, Turdus philomelos



female Blackbird, Turdus merula


Jackdaw, Corvus monedula


Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba