Widely regarded as one of the cutest and most sociable garden visitors, the Long-Tailed Tit captivates birdwatchers with its endearing appearance and lively behavior. Our guide is here to help you get to know more about Long-Tailed Tits.
At a staggering 9g, they weigh in at less than a £1 coin. They tend to travel in large groups, engaging in cooperative breeding behaviors where individuals assist in caring for each other's young when the male doesn’t step up to the mark!
Despite their diminutive size, Long-Tailed Tits are highly gregarious and emit a cheerful cacophony of calls as they flit about in flocks of up to 20 birds.
Identified by their distinctive fluffy plumage, predominantly black and white with a notably elongated tail, Long-Tailed Tits are easily recognizable garden visitors. They prefer woodlands and gardens as habitats ensuring that they are frequently spotted across the UK, bringing joy to all birdwatchers. In their diet, Long-Tailed Tits primarily consume insects and small seeds, although they also relish suet-based products, making them regular visitors to garden feeders.
Locations
Spotted across the UK
Habitat
Long-Tailed Tits, with their adaptable nature, thrive in a variety of habitats, but they particularly favor woodlands and gardens for their nesting and foraging activities. Within woodlands, they seek out areas with dense foliage, such as mixed deciduous forests and wooded edges, where they can find ample cover. Gardens provide an ideal habitat for Long-Tailed Tits, offering a combination of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants that supply both food and shelter.
Diet
Long-Tailed Tits diet contains insects and small seeds however they do also have a keen interest in suet-based products which are great to put out on feeding stations in gardens. Their fondness for suet serves as a valuable energy source, especially during colder months when natural food supplies may be scarce.
Food we recommend
Breeding
Breeding season takes place between March and June. They typically lay just one brood of 6-8 eggs which are either completely white or marked with little red specks. Nests are impressive as they are mostly enclosed with a small opening near the top. They are constructed from moss, cobwebs and feathers. Incubation takes 15-18 days
BTO Facts
According to Garden BirdWatch data, which has been collected since 1995, they are most frequently seen in February in around 38% of gardens. Long Tailed Tits have increased in gardens since Garden BirdWatch began. Mild winters are thought to be one of the reasons behind this increase. They also benefit from provisions in gardens, including food and nest boxes to roost in.
To find out more about other birds, take a look at our interactive bird guide.