Willow Twist

The willow tit is in length, has a wingspan of and weighs around . It has a large head, a thin bill, a long dull black cap that descends to the and a black bib. The sides of the face are white, the back is grey-brown and the underparts are buff. The sexes are similar in appearance. In the east of its range it is much paler than marsh tit, but as one goes west the various races become increasingly similar, so much so that it was not recognised as a breeding bird in Great Britain until the end of the 19th century, despite being widespread. The willow tit is distinguished from the marsh tit by a sooty brown instead of a glossy blue black cap; the general colour is otherwise similar, though the…