Long-tailed Tit

The Long-tailed tit, also known as the "long-tail," is a charismatic and distinctive bird residing in woodlands, parks, and gardens throughout the UK. With its eye-catching plumage and social behaviour, the long-tailed tit has earned a special place in the hearts of nature enthusiasts.

What do long-tailed tits look like?

The long-tailed tit is a small passerine bird, measuring approximately 13 - 15cm, a wingspan of 18cm and weighing around 9g. Its plumage is predominantly black, white, and pink, with a black mask covering its eyes and a pure white head. As their name suggests, they have remarkably long tails, almost the same length as their bodies. These birds are known for their delicate and endearing appearance, making them a favourite among birdwatchers.

What do long-tailed tits eat?

Long-tailed tits are primarily insectivorous, with their diet consisting of a wide variety of insects, spiders, and their eggs. They are particularly fond of caterpillars, aphids, and beetles. In gardens where nourishment is provided, the long-tailed tit readily indulges in peanuts and suet pellets found within bird feeders. They also favour suet blocks and suet balls.

Where do long-tailed tits nest?

The long-tailed tit builds one of the most intricate nests in the avian world. Constructed from moss, lichen, feathers, and spider silk, their nests are spherical in shape, with a small entrance hole near the top. These nests are often found in thorny bushes or tree branches. In colder weather, they roost communally to conserve body heat.

Long tailed-tits nesting behaviour

Long-tailed tits are monogamous and form strong, year-round pair bonds and start building nests as early as February. The male plays an active role in building the nest, gathering materials while the female shapes and lines it. The nest-building process can take as long as three weeks to complete. 

Around March - April, the female lays a clutch of 7-13 eggs, which are small, white, and speckled. She incubates them for approximately two weeks while the male assists in providing food. Once hatched, the chicks are altricial, meaning they are born blind, naked, and entirely dependent on their parents for food and warmth. Both parents share the responsibility of feeding the hungry brood. The chicks fledge after about 20 days, but they remain reliant on their parents for several more weeks before they can fend for themselves.

Do long-tailed tits migrate?

Long-tailed tits do not engage in long-distance migrations like some other bird species and will remain in the UK throughout the year. In colder months, they might shift their foraging areas for better food sources or seek communal roosting sites for warmth and safety. These movements are typically within a relatively small radius.

Are long-tailed tits common?

Yes, long-tailed tits are relatively common in the United Kingdom and have a breeding pair population of 380,000. They are widespread throughout the country and can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, parks, gardens, and heathlands. 

Long-tailed tit fun fact

Did you know the long-tailed tit isn’t part of the tit family? It is more closely related to the babblers of India and South-east Asia and belongs to the family Aegithalidae, which has 11 species of birds.