LoreBlue Tit or Great Tit? Start with the head
Compare Blue Tit and Great Tit with real photographs. In adult birds, look at the crown, head pattern and dark stripe down the yellow underparts.
Practise birds of the NetherlandsExplore the Netherlands regional guideStart with the crown
Adult Blue Tits have a blue crown. Adult Great Tits have a black head with white cheeks. Look at the top and side of the head first, rather than relying on a yellow belly.
Then compare the pattern
A Blue Tit has a narrow dark eyestripe through the pale face. On a Great Tit, white cheek patches sit within a much darker head. A black central stripe also runs down its yellow underparts. Only use a feature when that part of the bird is visible.
Compare the photographs below
Describe what you can actually see. Is the crown visible? Can you see the cheek, eyestripe or belly? If a feature is hidden, try another photograph. These are separate observations, not a size-calibrated comparison.
Use the shortcut cautiously
A blue crown suggests Blue Tit; a black head and central stripe suggest Great Tit. This is a starting point for this pair, not an identification key for every tit worldwide. Young birds and poor light can complicate identification. Continue practising with different photographs in a guide.
Photo © Dmitry P. · CC BY-NC · iNaturalist
Photo © William Stephens · CC BY · iNaturalist