Long-tailed Tit, (Aegithalos caudatus, Linnaeus 1758).
Family: Aegithalidae.
Length: 14cm Wingspan: 16 to 19cm Weight: 7 to 9g Lifespan: 2 to 3 years.
The Long-tailed Tit is a common and widespread species throughout the UK and most of Europe, north into Scandinavia and south down to the Mediterranean countries. Also found world-wide across into Russia and most temperate climatic countries. It is not closely related to the tit family (Paridae) despite its name.
Habitat: It can be found in deciduous and mixed woodlands which provides the important cover for this little bird’s survival. Woods in all kinds, Gardens, parks, Into the countryside with plenty of bushes and trees for cover, typically being hedgerows. Although will also be drawn to urban gardens with feeders as long as there is plenty of cover around in the way of evergreen bushes (for example conifers) and shrubs. They can often be heard before seen, by their high-pitched calls, moving in family groups through the trees and bushes searching for food.
Feeding: Mainly insects, invertebrates and small spiders. The eggs of moths and butterflies found amongst the vegetation are readily taken, as are caterpillars. Will feed more on seeds, in Autumn and Wintertime; can also be seen feeding from bird feeders.
Nesting: A unique, flexible (it expands as the chicks grow) rounded nest, suspended and entered by a small hole from the top. Constructed either high up between the branches of trees and hedgerows, will also be found, built low in gorse or bramble bushes; the nests are constructed from moss, feathers, lichen, spider cocoons and cobwebs. For camouflage they will add various lichens to the outside of the nest, unfortunately nests have a very low rate of success, as various predators such as larger birds and tree climbing animals such as squirrels frequently raid the nests. Thus, having under a 20% success rate in raising their young. 8 to 12 eggs are laid between April and June. The chicks fledge just after two weeks in the nest.