Thecrested tit orEuropean crested tit (Lophophanes cristatus) is apasserinebird in thetit family Paridae. It is a widespread and common resident breeder inconiferous forests throughout central and northern Europe and indeciduouswoodland in France and theIberian Peninsula. InGreat Britain, it is mainly restricted to the ancient pinewoods of Inverness and Strathspey in Scotland, and rarely strays far from its haunts. A few vagrant crested tits have been seen in England. It is resident, and most individuals do notmigrate.
It is an easy tit to recognise, for besides its erectile crest, the tip of which is often recurved, its gorget and collar are distinctive. It is, like other tits, talkative, and birds keep up a constantzee, zee, zeebirdsongⓘ, similar to that of thecoal tit.
It makes a nest in a hole in rotting stumps. This bird often feeds low down in trees, but although not shy, it is not always easily approached. It will join winter tit flocks with other species.
Like other tits, it is found in pairs and it feeds oninsects (includingcaterpillars) and seeds.
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