Siberian Tit (Parus cinctus)

In the harsh climate of the extreme north, it pays to be prepared, so Siberian Tits spend a great deal of their time in spring collecting food to be stored away for the winter season to come. About 65% of everything they find in spring is stashed away, in the needle clusters at the tips of coniferous branches, in crevices, or in clumps of lichen. Most of it is insect food, especially caterpillars, which are killed before storage, but a few seeds are secreted away, too. In the autumn there is more storing still, ready for the approach of winter, when the temperature may plunge to -45°C on cold nights, and food might be needed urgently.

The social structure of the Siberian Tit includes several unusual quirks. Essentially, pairs live in large territories throughout the year. But in winter, they may be joined by up to seven first-year birds that help to defend the territory. Then, in spring, most leave, but the odd one will remain in the pair’s territory, and possibly breed if one of the original pair members dies. In addition to this, spring territories, so vigorously defended by other tits, are sometimes shared by two breeding pairs.