Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)

Quick Facts

Scientific Name: Aegithalos caudatus
Family: Aegithalidae
Size: 13-15 cm (5-6 inches), of which 7-9 cm is tail
Wingspan: 16-19 cm (6.5-7.5 inches)
Weight: 7-9 g (0.25-0.3 oz)

Conservation Status

IUCN Status: Least Concern
Population Trend: Stable/Increasing in the UK

Worldwide Distribution

The Long-tailed Tit is found primarily in:

Throughout Europe (except far northern regions)
United Kingdom (widespread resident)
Asia, from Russia through to Japan
Non-migratory, though may make local movements in harsh winter conditions
UK subspecies (A. c. rosaceus) has distinctive pinkish tinge to plumage

Spotting Difficulty Rating

🔍 (1/5 – Easy)

Often travels in noisy family groups
Distinctive shape with extremely long tail
Regular garden visitor, especially in winter
Relatively tame and less afraid of humans than many species
Characteristic ‘bouncing’ flight pattern between trees

Habitat and Behavior

The Long-tailed Tit is one of Britain’s most distinctive and charming small birds, immediately recognizable by its extraordinarily long tail (making up more than half its total length) and its round, fluffy body. These diminutive birds feature a predominantly black and white plumage with varying amounts of pink, particularly noticeable on the UK subspecies which has soft pink flanks.

Long-tailed Tits are highly social, usually seen in family groups of 8-20 birds that move through woodland and gardens with constant contact calls – a distinctive rippling “si-si-si-si” or “tsurp” sound. These family flocks become particularly evident in autumn and winter when they join mixed feeding parties with other tit species.

One of the most remarkable behaviors of Long-tailed Tits is their cooperative breeding system. If a pair’s nest fails (which happens frequently due to predation), the unsuccessful parents will often help relatives raise their young instead. This altruistic behavior increases the survival chances of related nestlings and strengthens family bonds.

Their elaborate nest is a marvel of avian architecture – an elastic dome of moss, lichen, and spider webs, lined with up to 2,000 feathers. Construction can take up to three weeks, creating a camouflaged and stretchy home that can expand as the chicks grow.

In winter, Long-tailed Tits huddle together in a line on a branch to conserve heat, with each tiny bird benefiting from the warmth of the group. They primarily feed on insects and spiders during summer, switching to including more seeds in winter, and have become increasingly common visitors to garden feeders, particularly enjoying suet products.

Cultural History

The Long-tailed Tit has featured in folklore and cultural references across Europe for centuries, often earning affectionate nicknames that reflect their distinctive appearance and behavior. In parts of England, traditional local names include “Bum Barrel,” “Bottle Tit,” or “Long-tailed Pie,” referring to their round body and long tail. In Wales, they were known as “Y Dryw Gynffon Hir” (the long-tailed wren).

In Japanese culture, where the species is known as “Shima-enaga,” the bird is particularly beloved and features in art, children’s books, and is considered a symbol of family bonds due to their social behavior. The Ainu people of northern Japan considered the Long-tailed Tit a sacred bird that brought good fortune to those who treated it kindly.

English folklore sometimes suggested that seeing a family group of Long-tailed Tits was a sign of prosperity and good fortune to come, likely reflecting the bird’s own cooperative and successful social system. In some rural communities, it was considered lucky to have Long-tailed Tits nesting near a home, as their presence supposedly brought harmony to the household.

The elaborate nest-building skills of the Long-tailed Tit generated admiration, with country lore suggesting that a person who found an intact nest would be blessed with crafting skills themselves. Some traditional beliefs held that keeping a small piece of an abandoned Long-tailed Tit nest in a sewing box would impart needlework talents to the owner.

In Victorian Britain, the sociable nature of Long-tailed Tits made them popular subjects for naturalists and bird illustrators, with their family groups frequently depicted in early field guides and nature books as examples of cooperative avian behavior.

Fun Facts

🏠 Their intricate nests contain up to 2,000 feathers and can take three weeks to build
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Practice “cooperative breeding” where relatives help raise chicks if their own nests fail
❄️ Huddle together in lines on branches during cold nights, with birds taking turns being on the colder outside positions
🦅 Despite their tiny size, can live up to 8-9 years in the wild
🔊 Make up to 500 contact calls per hour to keep the family group together

Best Places to Spot a Long-tailed Tit in the UK

RSPB Leighton Moss, Lancashire
Minsmere, Suffolk
Any woodland edge habitat across the UK
Suburban gardens with feeding stations
Parks with mixed woodland and scrub
The New Forest, Hampshire
Kielder Forest, Northumberland

Recommended Viewing Tips

Listen for their distinctive contact calls – often heard before the birds are seen
Watch for their characteristic undulating flight pattern between trees
In winter, check mixed feeding flocks of tits for their distinctive shape
Garden bird feeders, especially those offering suet products
Most easily spotted in Winter and early Spring when foliage doesn’t obscure their movements
Look for family groups rather than individuals, especially in autumn/winter

Conservation Notes

While Long-tailed Tit populations are currently stable or increasing, they benefit from:

Preservation of hedgerows and woodland edge habitats which provide nesting sites
Wildlife-friendly gardening practices including dense shrubs and small trees
Winter feeding in gardens, especially with suet products and small seeds
Reducing use of insecticides that affect their summer food supply
Protection from severe winter weather – the species can suffer significant population losses during harsh winters, though they typically recover quickly due to their high reproductive rate

Remember: Always observe wildlife responsibly and respect their natural habitats.