Paridae (tits, chickadees; class Aves, order Passeriformes) A family of small, active birds which are blue, olive, brown, or grey above, and white, yellow, or buff below. They have small, stout bills, and many have crests. Their wings are short and rounded, their tails short and square-ended. They are arboreal, inhabiting woodland and gardens, feeding on insects, nuts, and seeds, and nesting in holes in trees and banks, and in nest-boxes. The largest genus is Parus, with 47 species. There are three genera in the family, with 49 species, found in Europe, Africa, Asia, and N. and Central America.

chickadees See PARIDAE.