Species profile
About this species
The Willow Tit is a small passerine bird found across much of Europe & Asia, closely resembling the Marsh Tit but distinguished by its matt black cap & pale wing panel. It inhabits woodland edges, scrub & willow thickets, often excavating its own nest cavities in soft or rotting wood. A hardy species, it remains in its territory year-round & is particularly notable for its ability to withstand harsh northern winters.
Willow Tits favour damp woodland, scrub, willow & alder carr, & coniferous forest edges, often preferring areas with soft or decaying wood suitable for nest excavation. In Scandinavia they are commonly found in boreal forest & birch woodland.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Willow Tit with us in Sweden.
These departures are part of our Europe programme.
In the field, Conny Lundstrom & Robin Lowry helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Winter months, particularly February to early March, are excellent for photographing Willow Tits in northern Sweden, coinciding with the Northern Sweden Eagles In Winter trip. Overcast days reduce harsh shadows & provide even lighting on the bird's plumage. Mid-morning visits to woodland feeding stations tend to yield the most activity.
Visit feeding stations in northern Sweden during the winter eagle trips in early March, as Willow Tits are often attracted to supplementary food & will perch openly on branches - ideal for frame-filling shots. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/500s to freeze any movement, as these birds are restless & rarely stay still for long. In winter snow conditions, dial in positive exposure compensation to avoid the camera underexposing the bright background & rendering the bird too dark.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Willow Tit
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.