Crested Tit

Lophophanes cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Paridae — Tits, Chickadees

Crested Tit, Lophophanes cristatus, is a tit of the family Paridae that breeds across Europe in the Palearctic. It is a resident bird in coniferous woodland through central and northern Europe, and it also occurs in deciduous woods in France and on the Iberian Peninsula. In Great Britain it is largely tied to the old pinewoods of Inverness and Strathspey in Scotland, with only occasional records elsewhere in England. First described by Linnaeus in 1758, it is placed in the genus Lophophanes. Its most obvious feature is the raised crest, together with a marked gorget and collar.

Order
Passeriformes
Family
Paridae — Tits, Chickadees
Breeding range
Palearctic: Europe
Crested Tit
© Luiz Lapa from Oeiras, Portugal · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

12 tours in United Kingdom 8, Germany 2, Montenegro 1, Poland 1

Seven-Day Outer Hebrides Spring Birding Tour 2027
Seven-Day Outer Hebrides Spring Birding Tour 2027
United Kingdom / Benbecula Private tour 7 days

Explore North Uist, Benbecula and South Uist in spring for machair waders, Corncrake, raptors and island lochs, including a North Uist boat ...

From GBP 1,795 Next: May 8, 2027
Birdwatching Holiday in Montenegro
Birdwatching Holiday in Montenegro
Montenegro / Virpazar Group tour 8 days

An eight-day, seven-night small-group birding holiday linking Lake Skadar, Cijevna Canyon, the Ulcinj coast and Montenegro's northern mounta...

From GBP 1,095 Next: Apr 18, 2027
Winter Wildlife Tour 2027
Winter Wildlife Tour 2027
Poland / Warsaw Group tour 5 days

Five winter days across Białowieża Forest and Biebrza Marshes for European Bison, Wolf, Elk and a rich selection of winter birds....

From EUR 1,260 Next: Feb 17, 2027
Scottish Highlands Winter Wonderland Birding Break 2026
Scottish Highlands Winter Wonderland Birding Break 2026
United Kingdom / Grantown-on-Spey Private tour 5 days

Explore Highland forests, moors and firths in early winter, with three or four guided days chosen for snow, road conditions and current bird...

From GBP 865 Next: Nov 29, 2026
Five-Day Autumn Birding Break in the Scottish Highlands 2026
Five-Day Autumn Birding Break in the Scottish Highlands 2026
United Kingdom / Grantown-on-Spey Private tour 5 days

Follow autumn across Strathspey, the Black Isle and Moray Firth on a four-night break with three guided birding days and a Grantown-on-Spey ...

From GBP 855 Next: Nov 15, 2026
Seven-Day Lewis and Harris Autumn Migration Tour 2026
Seven-Day Lewis and Harris Autumn Migration Tour 2026
United Kingdom / Stornoway Private tour 7 days

Travel from Grantown-on-Spey to Lewis and Harris at peak autumn migration, combining island coasts, village cover, moorland and two Minch cr...

From GBP 1,790
Five-Day Scottish Migration and Seabirds Cruise Break 2026
Five-Day Scottish Migration and Seabirds Cruise Break 2026
United Kingdom / Grantown-on-Spey Private tour 5 days

Spend four nights in Grantown-on-Spey with three guided autumn days covering Strathspey, Moray coast migration and a return Minch seabird cr...

From GBP 890
Private Bespoke Birding Break in Scotland
Private Bespoke Birding Break in Scotland
United Kingdom / Grantown-on-Spey Private tour

Build a private Scottish birding break for a couple or a group of up to seven, with duration, habitats, accommodation and travel agreed arou...

Three-Day Highland Birding Package with Two Hotel Nights
Three-Day Highland Birding Package with Two Hotel Nights
United Kingdom / Grantown-on-Spey Private tour 3 days

Combine two nights at the Grant Arms Wildlife Hotel with one privately guided Highland birding day, including transport, dinner, breakfast a...

From GBP 365
Private Scottish Highlands Birding Day with John Poyner
Private Scottish Highlands Birding Day with John Poyner
United Kingdom / Nethy Bridge Private tour 8h

Shape a private Highland birding day around Cairngorm pinewoods and lochs, the Moray Firth or the Black Isle, with the route chosen for curr...

From GBP 110
Eifel Forest Bird Photo Hide Experience with Leo Boon
Eifel Forest Bird Photo Hide Experience with Leo Boon
Germany / Hellenthal Private tour 1 day

A private Eifel forest bird photography hide experience with Leo Boon, focused on woodland species and possible nocturnal bird activity....

Private Eifel Pygmy Owl and Forest Bird Photography with Leo Boon
Private Eifel Pygmy Owl and Forest Bird Photography with Leo Boon
Germany / Erkensruhr Private tour 1 day

Private Eifel bird photography with Leo Boon, with Eurasian Pygmy Owl possible at the right time of year....