Long-tailed Tit

Aegithalos caudatus

This charming, fluffy ball of feathers with its distinctive long tail is a common sight in gardens and woodlands across Eurasia.

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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