Identification
Length: 14cm.

The extremely long tail comprises over half the length of this species, and is a distinguishing feature. They have a white head, neck and under parts. Northern and Eastern forms have pure white heads, while the Western race has a black eye stripe and the Southern race a greyish eye stripe. The back is usually black but may sometimes be grey, the rump is pinkish and the under parts are white with pinkish flanks. The flight feathers are blackish-brown, the inner ones are edged with white. Young Long Tailed Tit's have chocolate-brown sides of the head and nape, brown back and the remaining plumage is like that of the adults.
Their flight is slow, weak and undulating. In winter it forms flocks that fly in lines from one tree to the next.

Call
They emit a soft 'tupp' and a 'tsirup'. Their song is a combination of the call notes, but is rarely heard.

Reproduction
Breeding starts from March onwards. The nest is a large domed structure with a side entrance. It is built by both sexes, made of moss bound with spiders' webs and hair. The outside is coated with lichen. It takes the birds up to three weeks to build. They are usually situated in brambles or thick bushes about a metre to five metres off the ground. They may also build their nest in a tree up to twenty meters from the ground.  
They usually lay eight to twelve eggs (sometimes five to sixteen). These are white and finely speckled with purplish red, or are unmarked. The female mainly incubates from twelve to fourteen days. Both parents tend the young, who remain in the nest for fourteen days.

Habitat
Likes coniferous and deciduous woods and scrub. Less often seen in parks and gardens than other tits.

Natural Food
Mainly insects.

Where to Feed
Table Feeder - Covered
Feeders - Minimum 1m height

Suitable Wild Bird Food from the Shop
Ark 'No Mess' Feeder Mix
Ark 'All-Purpose' Mix
Live Food
Fat Balls
Suet Blocks
Peanuts

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