Fun Yellow Tit Facts For Kids

The yellow tit, or Taiwan tit (Machlolophus holsti) is a member of the Paridae family. This species is endemic to Taiwan and is usually non-migrating. It can be instantly recognized due to its bright yellow plumage, which is contrasting to the dark bluish-black feathers on its head, back, and tail. It is also a known songbird, and its melodious voice can be heard echoing in the montane forests where it lives.

Yellow tits can often be found flying among the tall trees where they make their nests or foraging along the forest floor with birds of other species. They are comparatively small birds and are found in pairs or small flocks flying about the leafy forest.

To learn more about the adorable yellow tit, read on! For more relatable content, check out these oak titmouse facts and coal tit facts for kids.

What type of animal is a yellow tit?

Yellow tits are a species of bright yellow bird that is endemic to Taiwan.

What class of animal does a yellow tit belong to?

The yellow-breasted tit is a type of bird and belongs to the class of Aves.

How many yellow tits are there in the world?

The exact population of the yellow tit bird is unknown, however, it was estimated in 2009 that there were at least 100-10,000 breeding pairs in the wild. This estimate is likely to have decreased in the following years due to loss of habitat and other factors, bringing the number of these birds close to threat of becoming endangered.

Where does a yellow tit live?

Yellow tit birds can be found primarily living in mountain regions, at elevations of 2,297-8,202 ft (700-2,500 m), in leafy, temperate forests. Due to conservation efforts, it is now mostly found in wildlife sanctuaries, protected parks, and reserves.

What is a yellow tit's habitat?

The primary habitat of this yellow cheeked tit is Taiwan. It is an endemic species to Taiwan, and due to the pleasant, warm weather, it does not usually migrate in the winter, usually relocating from colder areas to closer range to warmer places.

Who does yellow tit live with?

This bird species can mostly be found living in pairs or small flocks. They can also be found living solo, however, large flocks are not common. They can also be found in foraging flocks with birds of other species.

How long does a yellow tit live?

The exact lifespan of this bird is unknown. However judging by the lifespan of other species of tits, we can expect this bird to live for only two to three years.

How do they reproduce?

The breeding timing for the yellow tits is usually April when the weather is warm. They are oviparous in nature, the female lays and incubates a number of eggs, which then hatch into chicks.

The mating pair starts by building its nest in a hollow or cavity of a tall tree. After the fertilization process, the female lays around three to four eggs, for which the incubation period is two weeks. After the fledglings hatch, they are fed by their mother for a period of 18-21 days, after which they take flight and leave the nest.

What is their conservation status?

According to the IUCN Red List, this species is Near Threatened. Being endemic birds, they are a popular candidate for illegal poaching and are exported to exotic bird lovers over the world. This, along with the destruction of their habitat has led to a decrease in their numbers.

What does yellow tit look like?

Yellow tits are very easy to recognize due to their unique appearance. Males and females look slightly different. Both sex have yellow plumage on their body and underbelly, however females are slightly duller. Males have beautiful, dark blue feathers on their crest, back, and tail, with white tips and accents. Females have shorter crests and an olive green contrast on their backs instead of blue. They have dark brown eyes, black beaks, and gray feet. They also have an impressive wingspan of around 7-8.7 in (18-22 cm), with their wings being a sight to behold when spread wide open.

The young yellow tit is slightly paler in color than adults, with its underparts being white rather than yellow.

How cute are they?

With their bright yellow plumage and fluffy crest on their head, these birds are very cute. They also have big, brown eyes which marginally add to their cuteness. They make a pleasant addition to any garden, with their melodious whistling and colorful displays of flight.

How do they communicate?

The yellow tit is a songbird and has a very pleasant voice. It communicates by whistling a series of nasal and high-pitched notes. Male birds often compete for the attention of the female by singing beautifully.

How big is a yellow tit?

The Taiwan tit is similar in size to the great tit, which is commonly found in the UK. The average length of these birds is 5.1 in (13 cm). They are a bit bigger than Eurasian blue tits and bushtits.

How fast can a yellow tit fly?

The exact speed of yellow tits is unknown, however, they have been reported to be seen flying at high speeds around their nest areas.

How much does a yellow tit weigh?

The exact weight of this species is unknown, however since it is similar in size to the great tit, we can assume that its weight falls in the same range, between 0.5- 0.8 oz (14-22 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

There are no specific names for males and females of this songbird. Male birds are usually called cocks and female birds are called hens.

What would you call a baby yellow tit?

Baby yellow tits are called chicks, hatchlings, or fledglings.

What do they eat?

Yellow tits are mostly insectivorous in nature. They enjoy a variety of insects such as scorpionflies, worms, and small spiders. They are also seen snacking on wild berries and nuts, especially being fond of sunflower seeds. They often enjoy larger nuts and seeds as well, using a technique called 'hold hammering', in which they hold the tough nut with their feet and use their beak to crack it open, eating the food inside.

Are they dangerous?

Taiwan tits are not particularly dangerous and will not attack without being provoked. However, if encountered in the wild, it is best to not approach their nest or food and to observe them from a distance, otherwise, they may become territorial and attack. They may also be aggressive towards each other and other birds if thought to be in danger, otherwise they get along well with other species, also regularly taking part in foraging flocks.

Would they make a good pet?

These birds are not usually kept as pets, and it is not ideal to keep them cooped up in a cage as they are usually very sociable and thrive in the wild. Since their numbers are low and they are naturally endemic to Taiwan, they are not commonly available to keep as pets. If in Taiwan, you can make accommodations for these birds in your garden, such as lay out water and bird food for them, then you can observe them from some range. However, it is advised against keeping them as pets.

Did you know...

The yellow tit is a separate species from the Indian yellow tit, yellow cheeked tit, and the great tit (which is commonly found in the UK), all which are its close relatives.

This species is also called the Taiwan tit due to its sole habitat being Taiwan.

Egg incubation for these birds is done only by the female.

Does yellow tit migrate?

Due to the pleasant and agreeable weather in Taiwan, with winters not being as cold as in western countries, these birds do not need to migrate. Even if they do need to move in case of rare cold spells, they do not relocate very far from their homes, staying in the general area. Due to this, they can only be spotted in Taiwan.

How many eggs do yellow tit lay?

This bird species have been observed to lay its eggs in hollow tree cavities, preferring tall trees for the protection against predators on the ground. Their clutches consist of three to four eggs.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these tawny eagle facts and tufted titmouse facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable yellow tit coloring pages.