Female Being Fed on the Nest

A female Great Tit being fed on the nest
© 2008 David Jones

The incubation period lasts 13 or 14 days. During this time the male feeds the female so that she can remain on the eggs for as long as possible. She does pop out a few times but is usually back after about 10 minutes. The male Great Tit does not sit on the eggs, but with some birds, such as starlings, both parents take turns sitting on the eggs.

Watch the eggs hatch