As a kid I likened great tits plumage to a yellow vest with a black zipper. I still do.
Finnish great tits have started to sing shorter and shorter patterns, the “classical” rural version had three syllables, then urban birds started to sing just two (possibly because of background noise, this was noticed in the 1980s, I think) and later one. The shorter version has also spread to the countryside.
Charly says
Right!
Ice Swimmer says
As a kid I likened great tits plumage to a yellow vest with a black zipper. I still do.
Finnish great tits have started to sing shorter and shorter patterns, the “classical” rural version had three syllables, then urban birds started to sing just two (possibly because of background noise, this was noticed in the 1980s, I think) and later one. The shorter version has also spread to the countryside.
Giliell, professional cynic -Ilk- says
It is indeed.
Funny enough, English great tits are German “coal tits” while English coal tits are German “fir tits”.
jazzlet says
I always think of the great tit as wearing a tie because it’s posh (great).
Raucous Indignation says
Great Tit. [nods sagely] Really great Great Tit.