The Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) is a passerine bird in the Paridae family of song birds. It is also known as the Eurasian Blue Titmouse.

The Eurasian Blue Tit has a distinctive azure-blue crown and a dark-blue line passing through its eye and encircling its white cheeks to the chin. Its forehead is white, and a bar on its wing is also white. Its nape, wings, and tail are blue and its back is yellowish-green. It underparts are yellow with a dark line down its abdomen. Its beak is black. It has bluish-grey legs. Its eyes are dark brown. 

It measures about 12 centimetres (5 inches) tall, with a wingspan of 18 centimetres (7 inches). 

It is found throughout Europe and the Middle East. It is not migratory. It is a resident bird. It prefers deciduous or mixed woodlands with lots of oak trees. 

It is predominantly insectivorous. It will also eat berries and seeds. It lives in woodlands and forest, as well as parks and gardens.

It mates for life, and both parents choose a territory. It nests in tree holes or nest boxes. The female lines the nest with moss, feathers, and grass. The female lays 7-8 eggs and incubates them alone, but both parents raise the chicks. The eggs hatch after about 12-15 days.

The chicks are altricial when born (featherless, blind, and helpless), but will soon grow its feathers.

The Eurasian Blue Tit lives, on average, for 10 years.

Location of photographs: Paris, France

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM