Long-tailed Tit

A popular wild bird with a cute face

Scientific name	Aegithalos caudatus
English name	Long-tailed Tit
Japanese name	Enaga
Classification	Aves
Classification details	Passeriformes Aegithalidae
Full length	14cm
Distribution	Widely distributed in Eurasia

Characteristics

A small bird with a long tail. It is called "Naga" because its long tail looks like a handle.

Males and females are the same color, and the body is white overall, but the area from the eyebrows to the back of the neck and tail is black. In addition, the shoulders and base of the tail are pale reddish purple.

Calls

It makes a small noise as it looks. When they cry "chiri-ri-ri" and "churi-li-ri," they sometimes make a slightly muddy voice that sounds like "juri-li-ri." Rather than chirping alone, the image is that the voices of the long-tailed tites that come in small groups overlap and you can hear them whistling. The "chi" sound is not dissimilar to that of a great tit, but it is a little more thin and hoarse than a clear "two-pi-two-pi" chirp.

Difference between long-tailed tit and long-tailed tit

The long-tailed tit found in Hokkaido is a subspecies of the long-tailed tit. It has many fans because of its cute appearance. The difference from the long-tailed tit is that the head of the long-tailed tit is entirely white.

Ecology

Inhabits forests near flatlands and mountains. It can also be found in parks and roadside trees. They make flocks of about 10 birds and move through the forest. This flock often includes other small birds such as tit and tit. Even when they sleep on trees, they cling together in groups and sometimes look like dumplings on skewers.

It feeds on insects and spiders, and sometimes sucks tree sap.

Long-tailed Tit's Nest

Long-tailed magpies are known for their clever construction of webs using moss and cobwebs. The branches are arranged in a circle, and a soft material such as moss is laid inside to make it comfortable. In the spring, they lay around 10 eggs in the elaborate nests they make and reproduce. It is also known that individuals who fail to reproduce act as helpers to help other breeding pairs.

Habitat

I met dozens of flocks at Komiya Park in Hachioji City. They seemed to be traveling around the park together with titmouses and titmouses. When the herd approaches, the long-tailed voice can be heard from afar. Some curious individuals descended to branches at eye level, while others were whispering alarming voices.