‘Crested’ blue tit was just showing off

The bird has raised its crest, almost like its rare Scottish cousin the crested titmouse.

Birds can raise or lower various groups of feathers in response to behavioural issues like aggression over territories, food or mates, and for instance, to cool down during hot weather.

Many birds will flatten their bodies and splay their feathers to sunbathe in hot weather; serving a dual purpose of cooling and also control of feather parasites.

These behaviours can significantly alter the appearance of a bird and in the case captured so nicely by Peter’s picture, lead to misidentification.

I have had quite a few readers who were excited to see a ‘crested tit’ in their garden for example.

With the current periods of hot weather, it is worth watching out for birds spreading their wings and feathers to cool themselves and this seems to apply especially to dark-coloured species like blackbirds, carrion crows, and jackdaws for example.

Other species, especially house sparrows, make use of sunny, dry sites to ‘dust-bathe’ again helping to control feather parasites.

Prof Rotherham is researcher, writer and broadcaster on wildlife and environmental issues. Email [email protected] or follow his Walk on the Wildside blog at ukeconet.org for more information.