Aegithalos caudatus, Long-tailed Tit

Common Name: Long-tailed Tit

Aegithalos caudatus, more commonly known as the Long-tailed Tit, is easily recognisable with its distinctive colouring - the shoulders and underparts are pinkish, the head has a white crown with black marks above the eyes and into the nape. They have red eye rings and a very small black bill. The tail is bigger than its body, and is very noticeable during its undulating flight.

Gregarious and noisy residents, long-tailed tits are most usually noticed in small, excitable flocks of about 20 birds. Like most tits, they rove the woods and hedgerows, but are also seen on heaths and commons with suitable bushes.

They are to be found right across the UK except for the far north and west of Scotland. They can be seen in woodland, farmland hedgerows, scrubland, parkland and gardens. In winter they form flocks with other tit species. They can be seen all year round, feeding mainly on insects; however they have been known to eat seeds in autumn and winter (see photograph above).

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