Paridae – Tits & chickadees

The family of tiny songbirds

The member species of the family are passerine small, stocky woodland songbirds with short, stout bills. Some species have face masks, crests, or bibs. Parids are the most diverse and vibrant in the Himalayan region.

They are truly ‘hyperactive,’ curious, social, highly adaptable, and one of the most intelligent birds after corvids and parrots. They live in forested areas or arid scrublands; they only want a cavity for nesting. They are cavity nesters, and some nest in burrows (in the ground). Insects are their primary diet, but they shift to fruits, seeds, and buds when unavailable.

Parids are generally monogamous and lay large clutches of 2 to 13 eggs.