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A familiar vistor to just about every garden in Britain, the common small tit is widespread over most of Europe. A resident species over most areas it breeds in tree holes like other Parus species but forms mobile local flocks outside the breeding season. One of the most common species at garden feeders with almost blanket coverage in Britain. Flocks may often reach 50 or more individuals but these are likely to have been bred within two or three kilometres at most. The birds have a blue cap to the head – brighter in males – and blue-green backs. They have a white stripe above the eye, dark blue through it and on the throat but white cheeks. The underparts are yellow. Breeding population estimate for Britain and Ireland is 4.4 million pairs. Nests are built late March through to June and clutches of up to fifteen eggs may be laid. They feed mainly on insects, especially small caterpillars and aphids which they search for on tree and shrub foliage. Hanging a feeder containing peanuts will help these birds and supplement their diet.