Hello, everyone! Today, let’s talk about the “Willow Tit.” This bird, slightly smaller than a sparrow, inhabits the mountainous regions of Japan. Learning about its adorable appearance and ecology will surely make you find it even more charming.
The Willow Tit is petite, measuring about 12.5 cm in length, and its distinctive black “beret-like” head is incredibly cute. Its head is black, its back is gray-brown, and its cheeks and throat are white. Its voice, sounding like “Tsutsu Ni-Ni-Ni,” is endearingly sweet and brings peace to your heart when heard in the forest.
In Japan, the Willow Tit lives in mountainous areas from Hokkaido to Kyushu, preferring higher elevations in Honshu and further south. Unlike other tit species, it’s not widely known that Willow Tits create their own nesting holes. Watching them carve out a nest in a dying tree is like observing a tiny carpenter at work.
The diet of the Willow Tit includes insects, spiders, seeds, and fruits of plants. Their hard beaks are perfectly suited for cracking open tough fruits and seeds. They are monogamous, and during the breeding season, they form pairs to establish territories and romantically build their love nests.
Next time you visit the mountains, try spotting the adorable Willow Tit. Their tiny world is sure to bring you great joy and wonder. See you next time!
