Things With Wings

UK wildlife photography community at thingswithwings.uk — loading the latest sightings…

Long-tailed Tit · Field Guide · Things With Wings

🐦

Long-tailed Tit

Aegithalos caudatus

Not yet photographed by the community

Tiny fluffy bird with an exceptionally long tail.

Species Profile

Green List (Least Concern in the UK)

Lifespan: 2–3 years in the wild, occasionally up to 10 years
Size & Weight: 12–15 cm long including tail, wingspan 16–18 cm; 7–9 g
Habitat: Deciduous and mixed woodland, scrubland, hedgerows, and gardens with dense shrubs and trees.
UK Distribution: Found throughout England, Wales, and southern Scotland; largely resident year-round, with some northern populations moving south in winter.
Diet: Primarily small insects, spiders, and their eggs; supplemented with seeds and buds in winter, especially from alder and birch.
Prey: Small insects, spiders, insect eggs, and pupae
Predators: Sparrowhawks, other raptors, and corvids such as jays and magpies.
Mating Season: February to July
Breeding: Clutch of 8–12 eggs; incubation period 12–14 days; typically one brood per year, occasionally two in good conditions. Fledging occurs at 14–18 days.
Behaviour: Highly social and acrobatic, often seen in small flocks moving through vegetation with characteristic bouncing flight. They roost communally in winter, huddling together for warmth. Long-tailed Tits are known for their distinctive thin, high-pitched calls.

Sources and editorial status

The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.

Profile generated 22 June 2026

Spotted an error? Tell us so it can be corrected.

🐦

No photos yet

Be the first to photograph a Long-tailed Tit and share it with the community.