The crested tit is found only in the Caledonian pinewoods of Scotland. Its welfare depends on old trees with natural cavities and the structural diversity of ancient pine forest.
Crested tit welfare depends on the availability of standing deadwood and old trees that provide both nest sites and foraging opportunities for beetle larvae and spiders. Forest management that removes deadwood, stumps or old trees eliminates nesting habitat rapidly. Natural regeneration of Caledonian pinewood with diverse age classes and retained deadwood provides the ideal welfare habitat. RSPB Abernethy and Rothiemurchus are key conservation management sites.