Some aspects of the morphology of Blue tits (Parus caemleus) and Coal tits (Parus ater) in relation to their behaviour

Abstract

An attempt is made to find functional relationships between the morphology of titmice and their behaviour. Coal tits have relatively longer feet than Blue tits, and they also have relatively long back claws and toes. This may be related to life in pine needles, the long Coal tit feet having an effect analogous to snow shoes. Blue tits, in contrast, have short strong toes which are opposable, and this may enable them to hang on oak leaves. There are small but consistent differences in leg length and proportions between Blue, Coal, Marsh and Great tits. These differences do not seem to be related to behaviour in the same way as in any other bird group. Coal tits have wings of higher aspect ratio than Blue tits, and they also have a lower wing loading. This may be related to the superior hawking and hovering ability of Coal tits. Coal tits have longer and finer bills than Blue tits, and this may be associated with small prey size and probing into crevices for food. A fine bill would be of advantage when dealing with small prey, but a long bill would be a handicap for seeing small prey close to the bill tip.