Easily recognisable, the long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) boasts pretty, pink, black and white plumage together with, unsurprisingly, a long tail. That tail is longer than this bird’s body and it undulates when the long-tailed tit is in flight. Young birds are duller in colouration than adults. These tits are noisy, gregarious birds which are usually seen in small flocks. They are found in woodland, scrubland, gardens, and parks. Long-tailed tits are notable for being very tame and this makes them much easier to spot.
What is the long-tailed tit’s distribution and population?
Long-tailed tits are found throughout the UK except for the far north and west of Scotland. Their UK population has increased quite dramatically in recent years, but they remain vulnerable to extreme weather and habitat loss. There are 340, 000 breeding pairs in the UK and this species is not currently of conservation concern.
What do long-tailed tits eat?
These birds favour insects and occasionally seeds in autumn. In the winter months, they form loose flocks of up to 30 birds that roam the local area seeking feeding opportunities. Long-tailed tits rarely visit garden feeders, but surveys suggest that they are beginning to visit them more frequently. Try offering peanuts and suet if you would like to see these tits in your garden.
Where do long-tailed tits nest?
Long-tailed tits build their nests in bushes or the forks of trees. The nests are constructed from moss and then camouflaged with lichen, cobwebs and sometimes pieces of paper. Males and females work together to build their nests which are bottled-shaped with roofs and entrances near their tops. They are lined with as many as 1, 500 feathers which may be plucked from dead birds. Clutches feature 8-12 eggs which can make the nests rather crowded. The adults, therefore, ensure that the nests are built to be stretchy. Chicks fledge after 14-18 days.
Did you know?
Long-tailed tits huddle together at night to keep warm.
Long-tailed tits can take up to three weeks to build their nests.