• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
In Europe, the breeding population is estimated to number 30.5-44.2 million pairs, which equates to 61-88.4 million mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015). Europe forms c.35% of the global range, so a very preliminary estimate of the global population size is 175-253 million mature individuals, although further validation of this estimate is needed. National population estimates include 10,000-110,000 breeding pairs in China, 100-100,000 breeding pairs in Japan and 10,000-100,000 breeding pairs in Russia (Brazil 2009).

Trend justification
Both increases and decreases in regional populations have been noted in the second half of the 20^th century (del Hoyo et al. 2007). In Europe, trends since 1980 show that populations have undergone a moderate decline (EBCC 2018). Precautionarily the species is assessed as being in decline.

Willow Tit occurs across northern Europe and Asia, from the United Kingdom and Norway in the west, to Russia and Japan in the east.

This species inhabits lowland, submontane and montane forests and woodlands, principally coniferous forests of pine (Pinus), larch (Larix) and spruce (Picea), and in Siberian taiga it is most frequently in steppe-forest of Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica). It is often found in dense and damp areas, especially Sphagnum bogs and areas of willows (Salix) or alders (Alnus) and on tundra edge. In Europe, it also occurs in willows, alders and more shrubby vegetation, including elder (Sambucus) patches, edges of woods, copses, and hedges, especially along rivers and beside lakes. In Tien Shan, it occurs in montane conifer forest, also mixed broadleaf woodland with well-developed undergrowth and willow thickets, and lowland to submontane birch (Betula) forest. It is also found in riverine and swamp thickets, and occasionally in osier (Salix) beds. It breeds from April to July and is monogamous, forming a pair-bond for life. The female builds the nest, which is constructed mostly of bark or wood strips, grass, plant fibres, animal hair and feathers (rarely, moss included). It is placed in a hole or crevice up to 3 m (often less than 1 m, exceptionally to 10 m) from the ground in a rotting tree trunk or old stump. The hole is excavated by both sexes or may be adapted from an existing one. Clutch size is five to nine eggs. The species feeds mostly on invertebrates and larvae, but also on vegetable matter. It may store food behind loose bark, under branches, in bud capsules or in lichen and rarely in the ground in a steep bank. The species is mainly resident (Gosler et al. 2013).

Habitat loss and degradation are implicated in the decline in the U.K. and there is also recent evidence that increased competition from other parids, which evict this species from nest-holes, and increased nest predation by Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Dendrocopos major) are also important factors, exacerbated by the low dispersal ability of the species that makes recolonisation difficult after local extinction (Gosler et al. 2013). The species may also be threatened by future climate change (Harrison et al. 2003, Siriwardena 2004).

Conservation Actions Underway

Bern Convention Appendix II. In the U.K. the species is Red listed and is a U.K. Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority bird species and several local BAPs have been developed.

Conservation Actions Proposed

Investigate rates of habitat loss and pressures from other species to determine their impact on this species. Ensure existing populations are adequately protected.

Text account compilers
Wheatley, H., Ekstrom, J., Elliott, N., Butchart, S., Ashpole, J

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Willow Tit Poecile montanus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/willow-tit-poecile-montanus on 22/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/11/2024.