Marsh Tit ? Vote 4 - 1 Willow Tit

One from a couple of weeks ago when the weather was sunny

I think its a Marsh Tit but I am not 100% sure any ID help most welcome.


D300
400mm 2.8
1/800 sec at f6.3 ISO 200 -.67 ev
Tripod 393
Processed as usual in NX2

definitely a Marsh or Willow Tit but I can never tell them apart A very nice shot, I like the bird's pose and the colours are very complementary.

Matt

Cheers Matt

neither can I

I'm probably going to regret sticking my neck out here, but I think it is a willow tit. The bib of a willow tit is more diffuse than that of a marsh tit, and the secondary and tertiary feathers on the wing are paler than the primaries. This shot meets both criteria in my opinion, but I find these two hard to separate as well.

David

Hi
I would go for Marsh Tit, as Willows tend to have a more "bullish" head, but agree very difficult to separate. Ian, fantastic shot with superb background

Whichever species, it is a very fine shot! Great lighting on the face and nice clean b/g.

Fran

Hi Ian a nice image of a willow tit.

Phil.

Another vote for a Willow Tit and a lovely image as well.

Cheers

Austin

Love the colour palette and lighting here. Not risking an id though!

Nice Tit Ian. Lovely background colours.

This is a lovely image! After much deliberation, and consulting my many books, I am (pretty sure), this is a Willow Tit, although I might be wrong! Nah, I'll be bold. This is a Willow Tit, there, I've said it now, no going back!!!
Regards,
Paul.

HI Ian
Nice shot. I,d go for Willow. Marsh Tits have a white mark near the base of the bill usually.
( Not many people know that ! )
Cheers
John

Funnily enough, the latest issue of British Birds has an article about separating willow tits from marsh tits. Not having read it, I can't actually help though!

Lovely autumnal shot and a great sharp eye.

Simon