World Image Magazine Issue 31 April 2016 | Page 43
A Study in Nature
Long Tailed Tit - Pictures by Scott Latham
The long-tailed tit or long-tailed bushtit
(Aegithalos caudatus) is a common bird
found throughout Europe and Asia
They are easily identified by their plumage
which is mainly black and white, with
variable amounts of grey and pink.
Through the spring and summer months
they are usually seen in pairs gathering
food for their young.
In winter, especially hard winters, they are
known to form flocks of 20 or more birds,
visiting the feeders in domestic gardens.
Like all tits, its favoured food in the garden
is seeds, but it will visit fat balls and filled
coconut shells in search of food.
It is a frequent visitor to waterfalls during
the summer where it cleans itself or dust
and mites.
Also in the winter they join with other
members of the tit family to form larger
mixed flocks in gardens and other areas
where food is available.
It has been described as a tiny being just 13
to 15 cm in length, including its 7 to 9 cm
tail, and its flight is undulating in nature.
It is a round-bodied tit with a short, stubby
bill and a relatively long, narrow tail.
The sexes look the same and young birds
undergo a complete moult to adult plumage
before the first winter.
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