It is a widespread and common resident breeder in coniferous forests throughout central and northern Europe and in deciduous woodland in France and the Iberian Peninsula.

In Great Britain, it is chiefly restricted to the ancient pinewoods of Inverness and Strathspey in Scotland, and seldom strays far from its haunts.

[3] The current genus name, Lophophanes, is from the Ancient Greek lophos, "crest", and phaino, "to show".

[4] It is an easy tit to recognise, for besides its erectile crest, the tip of which is often recurved, its gorget and collar are distinctive.

Like other tits it is found in pairs and it feeds on insects (including caterpillars) and seeds.