Long-tailed Tit (12–14cm, 5–6in) ~ We love pets

The Long-tailed Tit is a charmingly petite bird, a common sight across Europe. Favoring woodland edges, scrub, dense hedgerows, and even wooded gardens, this energetic species adds a touch of whimsy wherever it flits.

Variety is the Spice of Life:

While always recognizable, the Long-tailed Tit's appearance varies geographically:

Scandinavia: Sports a pristine white head.

Spain: Displays distinctive black streaks.

Britain and Ireland: Shows a unique combination of features.

Never a Dull Moment:

These busybodies are constantly on the move, tirelessly foraging for food. In autumn and winter, family groups merge into larger flocks that chatter and flit through gardens and woodlands, often accompanied by other bird species.

Unmistakable Features:

The Long-tailed Tit is a delight to behold, with:

A tiny, oval body

A rounded head

A short, stubby bill

A striking plumage pattern

A remarkably long tail

Their constant, piercing contact call, a 'tsee, tsee, tsee,' is easy to identify once learned.

A Closer Look at the British and Irish Variety:

Head: Off-white with two bold blackish bands extending from the bill base over the crown to the nape.

Body: Blackish mantle and rump.

Tail: Long and black with white outermost feathers.

Wings: Pink scapulars, broad white edges on the tertials, and pale-tipped dark flight feathers.

Underparts: Off-white with a pink flush on the flanks and belly.

Undertail: Spotted white on black.

Bill and Eyes: Small black bill and black eyes with a red orbital ring.

Legs and Feet: Dark grey-brown, small, and rarely seen.

Agile Insectivores:

Unlike other tits that favor seeds, the Long-tailed Tit has a penchant for insects. They are incredibly agile, often hanging upside down by one foot while securing food with the other, showcasing their acrobatic skills as they glean insects from leaves and twigs.

Flocks on the Move:

After the young have fledged, it's common to see (and hear!) flocks of Long-tailed Tits streaming through woodlands, their tiny bodies and long tails creating an unforgettable spectacle.

Architectural Wonders:

The Long-tailed Tit's nest is a small, perfectly round masterpiece, meticulously crafted from lichen, moss, feathers, and any soft materials they can find. These cozy nests are typically tucked away in dense cover, such as prickly bushes or tree forks.

Geographical Variations:

Scandinavian Long-tailed Tits stand out with their unmarked snowy-white heads, paler pink scapulars, and more white in their wings.

Those on the near European continent exhibit broader black head stripes than their British counterparts, and their flanks are a duller, dirtier pink. Further south, towards Spain, the species becomes even darker and less vibrant.