The RSPB: Long-tailed tit

Conservation status: Green

The long-tailed tit is easily recognisable with its distinctive colouring, a tail that is bigger than its body, and 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.

Overview

Latin name

Aegithalos caudatus

Family

Long-tailed tits (Aegithalidae)

Where to see them

Found 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.

When to see them

All year round

What they eat

Insects, occasionally seeds in autumn and winter

Population

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	273,000 territories	-	-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.