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Long-tailed tit

 

 

Long-tailed tits belong to the Aegithalos or Long-tailed tit genus, all other tits to the Parus genus.

 

The very lovable birds move around in small family groups formed by parents and offspring from the previous summer, sometimes several broods. They can be encountered in fresh mixed or deciduous forests and thickets; they don't keep still very much, to allow themselves to be observed comfortably. In favourable years up to a hundred thousand birds may winter here but it depends on the number of migrants arriving here.

 

The sexes are similar. The cheeks of the young are dark brown. Pink hues are lacking in the neck and back feathers. The head, neck and breast of adult birds is bright white. On the sides and belly pinkish gleams glisten, the exceptionally long tail feathers are black, edged with white. Expressive bright black eyes and a tiny beak in the white head. Long-tailed tits are not vegetarians, but sometimes they come to visit bird feeders where the piece of lard interests them.