Long-Tailed Tit

Aegithalus caudatus

This charming little bird breeds all the way from the West of Ireland to Japan and has vast numbers of races - some very distinctive. Tiny bill, short wings and small body tailed off by huge tail (90 mm) this is not a true tit but is generally thought to be related to various African species and American Bush Tit.

Basically these a white and black birds washed with grey and rose. They are very gregarious and often related birds help at the nest of their parents. There are often as many as 60 of these birds together in one flock and they are fairly nomadic - flocks in UK have often moved 100 kms. These are a species hard hit by cold winters but with a phenomenal breeding potential. After a good series of winters there may be 250,000 breeding groups in Britain and Ireland.

Gregarious tiny tit come babbler.

Length	140 mm
Closed wing	62 mm
Weight	8 gms

A Bird On! Sketch by Chris Mead
Copyright © 1996 by Jacobi Jayne & Company and Chris Mead