Species - Long Tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
Location - Various
Grid Ref - Various
The Long Tailed Tit has to be one of the cutest birds out there, and be found in most parts of the UK all year round. Luckily for me I get to see them on a daily basis on land at the rear of my house.
Due to their small size they are vulnerable to extreme cold weather with population losses of up to 80% being recorded in times of prolonged cold can be seen cuddled up together in groups on cold winter nights.
The long tailed tit is also known as the long-tailed bush tit, silver-throated tit and silver-throated dasher. The nest of the long-tailed tit is constructed from four materials -lichen, feathers, spider egg cocoons and moss, with over 6,000 pieces used for a typical nest.
Due to high predation, there is a high nest failure rate. If nest failure occurs after the beginning of May, failed breeders will not try to re-nest, but may become helpers at a nest of another, usually related, pair. In one study, around 50% of nests had one or more helpers. By helping close relatives, helpers gain indirect fitness benefits by increasing the survivability of related offspring. Helpers may also gain greater access to mates and territories in the future. Helpers also gain experience raising young and therefore their future offspring have greater survivability rates.
