Bird Name:

Long-tailed tit

Latin Name:

Aegithalos caudatus

Status:

Least concern

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Aegithalidae

Genus: Aegithalos

Species: A. caudatus

General Information:

The Long-tailed tit is a common European bird. They are lively birds than can be aggressive. They will roost together, which helps preserve body heat. Up to 50 birds can be clustered together at once. The large groups are often quite noisy.

Physical Description:

The long-tailed tit is a small, fluffy bird with a long-tail. The tail accounts for nearly half the body length, which averages 15 cm. A thick black stripe above each eye extends back to collar. The head and upper breast are otherwise whitish while the underparts are rose-pink. It has reddish brown shoulders with white edges to the flight feathers. The long tails is black and edged in white. Sexes are alike. The young have brown coloring on their heads. Regional variations to color due occur.

Diet:

The diet of the Long-tailed tit consists of invertebrates and seeds.

Habitat:

Resides in Europe but is absent from the central and northern parts of Scandinavia. Its range extends into Asia but not into Africa. It lives in deciduous and mixed woodland with a thick understory. Its nest is ball or bag shaped and usually incorporates moss, lichens and spider webs and is lined with feathers. Pair spends 2-3 weeks building the nest. It is so small their tails must curl under to fit inside.

Reproduction:

The breeding season extends from February to June. The clutch consists of 7 to 12 white eggs with reddish speckling. Incubation takes about 13 days and is done solely by female, although male will bring her food. Young are fed by both parents and will fledge after 14 to 18 days. If the nest is predated, adults will participate in cooperative breeding with relative birds.