Habitat: The beech forest is the preferred habitat, especially the acidic beech forest. The species occurs in lower densities in other deciduous forest types, mainly in oak-hornbeam forests and to a lesser extent in coniferous forests. It is also found in parks with a lot of coppice.

Appearance: A widespread resident bird in Europe, but absent from the Mediterranean coast. In Belgium and the Netherlands, it is a fairly numerous breeding bird, a year-round resident and a winter visitor in fairly large numbers.

Breeding season: April to July, cavity nester, 4 to 12 eggs.

Characteristics: 11.5 to 13 cm, wingspan 18 to 19 cm, weight 10 to 12.7 grams, lifespan 11 years.

Food: Insects and seeds.