Long-tailed Tit Bird Facts (Aegithalos caudatus)

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Long-tailed Tit is a tiny, round-bodied bird with a distinctive long tail that often exceeds the length of its body. Its plumage is primarily black and white, with varying shades of pink on the breast and shoulders, giving it a delicate, fluffy appearance.

Adults have a white head with black stripes above the eyes, while juveniles display duller colours, shorter, browner tails, and lack pink tones. The species shows little seasonal variation in plumage, and males and females are alike in appearance and size.

Size

Length

13cm to 15cm

Wingspan

16cm to 19cm

Weight

7g to 9g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

White Black Pink

Secondary Colour

Brown

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Long-tailed Tit can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Long-tailed Tit can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Long-tailed Tit is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Long-tailed Tit is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Long-tailed Tit is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Long-tailed Tit is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Long-tailed Tit is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Long-tailed Tit is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Long-tailed Tit is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Long-tailed Tit is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Long-tailed Tit is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Long-tailed Tit is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Long-tailed Tits inhabit deciduous and mixed woodlands, parks, and gardens across Europe and Asia. They prefer areas with dense undergrowth and a good variety of tree species, particularly favouring edge habitats.

In the UK, they are widespread residents, found throughout England, Wales, and Scotland, except for the northernmost parts. Their range has expanded northward in recent decades, possibly due to milder winters.

Elevation Range

Up to 1,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Long-tailed Tit. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Resident

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria China Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iran Iraq Ireland Italy Japan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Moldova Mongolia Montenegro Netherlands North Korea Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Serbia Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Syria The United Kingdom Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Gibraltar Morocco Tunisia

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Long-tailed Tit displays remarkable agility, moving acrobatically through trees and shrubs, often hanging upside down to forage. Their ability to navigate complex branch structures with their tiny bodies and long tails demonstrates exceptional manoeuvrability.

Strength 15

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a tiny bird weighing only 7-9 grams, the Long-tailed Tit has limited physical strength. Their delicate build is adapted for agility rather than power, allowing them to glean insects from leaves and bark efficiently.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Long-tailed Tits show high adaptability, thriving in various habitats from woodlands to urban gardens. Their ability to switch diets seasonally, huddle for warmth in extreme cold, and employ cooperative breeding strategies indicates strong adaptive capabilities.

Aggressiveness 20

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

These birds are generally non-aggressive, preferring to live in social flocks and even assist relatives in raising young. Their cooperative nature and tendency to avoid confrontation suggest low aggression levels, though they may defend nests during breeding season.

Endurance 60

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Despite their small size, Long-tailed Tits demonstrate moderate endurance. They can survive harsh winters by huddling together and maintain energy through efficient foraging. However, their tiny bodies limit long-term endurance compared to larger species.

Diet

Long-tailed Tits primarily feed on small insects, spiders, caterpillars and the eggs of moths, which they glean from tree bark and leaves.

In Autumn and winter, they supplement their diet with seeds and occasionally visit garden feeders, showing a preference for suet and peanuts. They are also sometimes observed to drink sap.

When tackling a particularly large insect, they may acrobatically twirl into a precarious one-footed upside-down position, gripping the prey with its other foot.

Behaviour

Long-tailed Tits are highly social, often seen in small, noisy flocks outside the breeding season. They move acrobatically through trees and shrubs, hanging upside down to forage.

These birds huddle together in tight rows during cold nights for warmth, showcasing their cooperative nature.

They are a lively, energetic species and are tolerant of the presence of other similar-sized birds, although they seem less enthusiastic at being in close proximity to humans.

Vocalisation

Long-tailed Tits are vocal birds, frequently emitting high-pitched, rippling 'si-si-si' or 'tsee-tsee-tsee' calls. These contact calls help maintain flock cohesion.

During the breeding season, they produce a softer, more melodious warbling song, often described as a gentle 'prrrt-prrrt-prrrt'.

Nesting & Breeding

Long-tailed Tits form monogamous pairs and begin nest-building in early spring. They construct elaborate, elastic nests using moss, lichen, and spider silk, camouflaged on the outside with lichen and lined with up to 2,000 feathers.

Females typically lay 8-12 small, white eggs with fine red speckles, barely larger than a peanut. Only females usually incubate the eggs for about 13-15 days.

Nestlings fledge after 14-18 days but remain dependent on their parents for several weeks. Uniquely, failed breeders often help relatives raise their young, increasing overall breeding success.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

While currently listed as Least Concern, Long-tailed Tits are vulnerable to harsh winters and habitat loss.

Conservation efforts focus on maintaining diverse woodland habitats and encouraging wildlife-friendly gardening practices to support their populations.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

41,500,000 - 75,250,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Long-tailed Bushtit

Family:

Aegithalidae

Average Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Predators

Main predators include sparrowhawks, domestic cats, and various corvids such as jays and magpies, which may raid nests for eggs and chicks.

Did You Know?

Long-tailed Tits build one of the most intricate nests of any British bird, using up to 6,000 pieces of material.
They have a unique cooperative breeding system where failed breeders help relatives raise their young.
Its long, elegant tail is used to communicate with other birds and balance on branches.
Despite their tiny size, Long-tailed Tits can survive temperatures as low as -20°C by huddling together.
The Long-tailed Tit is not actually a tit but is more closely related to babblers.