It’s interesting how we often attribute distinct personalities to different bird species, drawing on stereotypes shaped by their appearance and behaviour. These impressions are rarely about individual birds, but rather about the collective image we form of a species. For example, Blue Tits and Great Tits are two of the most common birds I encounter, both frequent visitors to gardens and parks. Yet I realise I view these species through the lens of stereotypes, sometimes unfairly.
Stereotypes about birds are deeply ingrained in our culture, think of the elegance of swans, the wisdom of owls, or the ill fortune associated with magpies. In my own experience, I’ve always seen Blue Tits in a positive light, perceiving them as friendly and cheerful. Their small size and vibrant plumage give them an approachable air, and their chirruping calls seem engaging and pleasant. At the bird table, they flit about energetically, often appearing non-confrontational, and are often bullied by larger birds, especially their bigger relative, the Great Tit.
Great Tits, on the other hand, strike me as more assertive. Their stocky build and bold black markings remind me of a mask, almost like a burglar’s disguise. This impression is reinforced by their ability to mimic the calls of other species and their tendency to dominate at the bird table. I sometimes think of them as boastful, puffing out their chests and showing off their striking uniforms, perhaps the very model of a modern major general. Words like pride and conceit come to mind when I observe their behaviour.
However, I recognise that these descriptions reflect my own biases. The reality is more complex: Blue Tits can be aggressive towards smaller species such as Long-tailed Tits and Coal Tits, while Great Tits themselves may be bullied by Robins. Watch Great Tits for long enough, however, and you will find them as endearing as Blue Tits. They share many traits but fill very different niches. They are less flighty and more confident in their actions. Unlike Blue Tits, they will feed openly on the ground and will take to prominent treetops to sing. Thinking about Great Tits now, I realise they often herald the approach of my favourite season, spring. Their calls change subtly and become more strident.
Reflecting on these tendencies, I’m reminded of the importance of questioning our assumptions—not just about birds, but about all living things. By acknowledging our biases, we can strive for a more nuanced and accurate understanding of the natural world. It has long been a problem in nature conservation that it's far easier to raise money to save a species of cuddly animal like a bear or rodent than it is for a species of spider or snake. Some of our revulsion for certain species is biologically ingrained; we have an aversion to species less like us, bilateral species, those with radically different body shapes. The BBC ran an article on this back in 2012 and Green Earth explored it in 2024
Both articles describe the innate human bias that affects our efforts to defend biodiversity. This aligns with my growing sense that nature conservation should focus primarily on habitat protection and creation. We need to ensure ecosystems are stable and functioning and allow nature to take the lead. Species recovery will follow. I recall several Dormouse reintroductions in the early 2000s that failed because too much effort was placed on releasing individuals and boosting the local population before the habitat was repaired enough to support them. Of course, habitat protection is part of species reintroduction, and the lion's share of funding comes from species conservation, but we need to find an effective way to protect all species, regardless of their appearance or our own perceptions.
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