Aegithalos caudatus
The Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) is a delightful and easily recognizable small passerine, renowned for its disproportionately long tail, giving it a distinctive 'flying lollipop' appearance. Measuring 13-16 cm in length, with its tail alone often accounting for 7-9 cm, this tiny bird weighs a mere 7-9 grams. Its plumage is primarily a striking combination of black, white, and subtle pinkish hues; northern subspecies typically feature a pure white head, while those further south displ...
Long-tailed Tits inhabit a variety of deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly those with dense undergrowth, scrub, hedgerows, parks, and gardens. They are typically found in low to mid-elevation areas, avoiding dense conifer forests or high montane zones.
Long-tailed Tits feed almost exclusively on small insects, insect larvae, aphids, and spiders, which they glean from foliage, bark, and twigs. They are highly efficient and active foragers, rarely taking seeds or berries.
These highly social birds are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging and their nights roosting communally in dense vegetation, often huddling together for warmth in colder months. They are acrobatic gleaners, meticulously searching leaves, twigs, and bark for small invertebrates, often ha...
The Long-tailed Tit boasts a vast Palearctic distribution, extending across temperate Eurasia from the United Kingdom and Western Europe eastward through Russia, Central Asia, Siberia, and Japan. While primarily resident throughout much of its range, northern populations may undertake short-dista...
Least Concern
- Often affectionately called "flying lollipops" or "teaspoons" due to their small, round bodies and extremely long tails. - Their tail can be longer than their entire body, making it one of the most disproportionate tails in the bird world. - Long-tailed Tits build one of the most elaborate and ...