Long-tailed Titmice (Aegithalidae)
Long-tailed titmice
(Aegithalidae)
Class Aves
Order Passeriformes
Suborder Passeri (Oscines)
Family Aegithalidae
Thumbnail description
Small tits with relatively long tails and loose feathering that gives a fluffy appearance. They are generally dark above, either gray or brown and lighter, and often white below. Many species have a black mask, and some show hints of pink in their feathering
Size
3.5–6.3 in (8.9–16 cm); 0.14–0.32 oz (4–9 g)
Number of genera, species
3 genera, 7 species
Habitat
Woodland and forest
Conservation status
Near Threatened: 2 species
Distribution
Western Europe to the Himalayas and the Far East; western North America and Mexico
Evolution and systematics
The long-tailed tit family (Aegithalidae) consists of three genera and seven species. Sibley and Ahlquist (1990) place the family in the superfamily Sylvioidea: this includes true tits, penduline tits, treecreepers, wrens, nuthatches, and others.
Physical characteristics
Family members range from 6.3 in (16 cm) to a mere 3.5 in (8.9 cm) in the aptly named pygmy tit (Psaltria exilis). All have long tails, particularly the long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus), whose tail can make up half its total body length. Adult males and females have a similar plumage. They are generally dark above (gray or brown and lighter) and often white below. Many species have black mask and some show hints of pink in their feathering. A loose arrangement of body feathers makes them appear fluffy and endears them to many observers.
Distribution
Of the seven species, five are found in the Himalayas or mountainous parts of western China. The most widespread species is the long-tailed tit, with a range through western Europe and Asia, as far eastward as China and Japan. The most restricted species is the pygmy tit, which is endemic to Java. The only New World representative of the group is the bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus), found in western North America and Mexico.
Habitat
Long-tailed tits are primarily birds of edges and shrub layers of woodland and forest. In the Himalayas and mountains of China, they are found between 4,000 and 8,860 ft (1,200 and 2,700 m), or, in the case of the white-throated tit (Aegithalos niveogularis), up to the tree line at 13,100 ft (4,000 m).
Behavior
Birds in the long-tailed tit family spend most of their time in single-species flocks. For individual long-tailed tits, these flocks may be composed largely of related birds. Observers often first notice their presence on hearing constant chattering, the contact calls described as tsee-tsee-tsee (long-tailed tits) or pit-pit-pit (bushtit). Following this, a procession of single birds may typically be seen flying from one bush to another. In the evening, birds roost communally, with small groups lining up together on a suitable branch. If it is cold, they huddle shoulder to shoulder, with the flock's most dominant birds toward the middle of the row where most heat is retained. Long-tailed tits also have been observed roosting in holes in the ground.
Feeding ecology and diet
Birds of the long-tailed tit family spend much of their time in feeding flocks, searching for invertebrates and occasionally fruit and seed. Like other near relatives, they are extremely dextrous birds, comfortable hanging acrobatically from the thinnest of branches, holding an item of food in one claw while picking at it with the fine stubby bill.
Reproductive biology
Breeding season is from January (bushtit) to July. The diminutive pygmy tit on Java has a further season, from August to November.
During breeding, larger feeding and roosting flocks break down as individual birds pair together. In early parts of the breeding season, birds often still roost together; during a cold spell, feeding flocks may reform. Once the nest has been constructed, its warmth and security provide adequate roosting space for the pair alone.
Nests are enclosed oval or more elongated structures woven from moss, lichen, spider silk, and plant material. Once complete, they are quite light in color, possibly an attempt by the builders to camouflage them against light background breaks in the woodland canopy. Toward the top, each nest
has an entrance hole and is furnished with a soft lining that can include more than 2,000 feathers. They are commonly located low in the woodland shrub layer, suspended among or in the forks of suitable branches.
Clutch size is 2–12 eggs. The birds incubate for 12–18 days. Once hatched, youngsters are cared for by the parents and, in some cases, other members of the flock, often individuals whose own breeding attempts have failed. The young fledge within three weeks of hatching and remain with the parents' flock over the first winter.
Conservation status
Birds in the long-tailed tit family are common over much of their range and are not threatened. However, harsh winters can decimate the population by up to 80%. Himalayan and Chinese mountain species are common to locally common across their range with two exceptions: the sooty tit (Aegithalos fuliginosus) and white-throated tit (Aegithalos niveogularis) are scarce and listed as Near Threatened. Javanese endemic pygmy tits are locally common, but the ever-present threat of deforestation is of concern for this forest species.
Significance to humans
Bushtits visit garden feeders; long-tailed tits are rarely seen at feeders but their appearance in garden trees and parks is always popular.
Species accounts
List of Species
Long-tailed titBlack-throated tit
Bushtit
Long-tailed tit
Aegithalos caudatus
taxonomy
Aegithalos caudatus Linnaeus, 1758. Nineteen subspecies are recognized.
other common names
French: Mésange à longue queue; German: Schwanzmeise; Spanish: Satrecito de Cola Larga.
physical characteristics
5–6.3 in (13–16 cm). Small tit with extremely long tail, plumage variable across range but generally a mix of black, white, and pink.
distribution
The most widespread of the long-tailed tit family with a range from western Europe through Asia, and into China and Japan.
habitat
Woodland, deciduous, and mixed with plenty of scrub in which to forage and nest.
behavior
A gregarious and acrobatic species, often first picked up on call (tsee-tsee-tsee). Flock frequently observed flying in single file, one bird at a time, from bush to bush. Roost communally on branches, huddled together in cold weather.
feeding ecology and diet
Largely invertebrates, especially insects and spiders.
reproductive biology
Nests March to June. Oval ball-shaped nest of moss and lichen, lined with feathers, located low in bushes and shrubs. Clutch 8–12 eggs, incubation 12–18 days, fledging 14–18 days. Nonbreeding birds may assist parents with feeding of young.
conservation status
Not threatened. Common across range, suffers after harsh winters, and takes a few years to recover population.
significance to humans
None known.
Black-throated tit
Aegithalos concinnus
taxonomy
Aegithalos concinnus Gould, 1855. Six subspecies are recognized.
other common names
English: Red-headed tit; French: Mésange à tête rousse; German: Rostkappen-schwanzmeise; Spanish: Satrecito de Cabeza Roja.
physical characteristics
4 in (10 cm); 0.14–0.32 oz (4–9 g). Small and very attractive tit with a rufous crown, black mask, white moustache, and black bib. Gray upper and buff-to-white underparts.
distribution
Himalayas, upland Myanmar, and Indochina.
habitat
Broadleaf forest.
behavior
A gregarious species foraging in the shrub layers of forests, often in mixed species flocks. Roosts communally. Contact call psip, psip and si-si-si.
feeding ecology and diet
Feeds on insects, seed, and fruit.
reproductive biology
Nests February to May. Nest a typical ball of moss and lichen positioned low in a bush. Clutch 3–9, incubation 15–16 days.
conservation status
Not threatened.
significance to humans
None known.
Bushtit
Psaltriparus minimus
taxonomy
Psaltriparus minimus Townsend, 1837. Eleven subspecies recognized.
other common names
English: Common bushtit, black-eared bushtit; French: Mésange masquée; German: Buschmeise; Spanish: Satrecito Común.
physical characteristics
4–4.5 in (10–11.4 cm); 0.18–0.21 oz (5–6 g). Tiny birds with a variable plumage range. Generally gray above with paler gray underparts. Coastal birds have brown caps and black-eared forms have black masks extending back to ear coverts.
distribution
Western United States (extending a little northward into Canada) and Mexico.
habitat
Deciduous and mixed woodlands, parks, and gardens.
behavior
A gregarious and active species that forages in large flocks. Roosts communally, as with other bushtits.
feeding ecology and diet
Feeds on insects, spiders, seed, and fruit.
reproductive biology
Nests January to June. Nest cucumber-shaped construction of twigs, moss, and lichen hung from the end of a branch. Clutch 5–7, incubation 12 days, fledging 14–15 days. Occasionally parents will be helped by other birds, as in long-tailed tits.
conservation status
Not threatened. Common, and increasing in some parts of its range.
significance to humans
None known.
Resources
Books
Harrap, S. and D. Quinn. Chickadees, Tits, Nuthatches and Treecreepers. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996.
Periodicals
Hansell, M. H. "The demand for feathers as building material by woodland nesting birds." Bird Study 42 (1995): 240–245.
Hansell, M. H. "The function of lichen flakes and white spider cocoons on the outer surface of bird's nests." Journal of Natural History 30 (1996): 303–311.
Hatchwell, B. J., C. Anderson, D. J. Ross, M. K. Fowlie, and P. G. Blackwell. "Social organization of cooperatively breeding long-tailed tits: kinship and spatial dynamics." Journal of Animal Ecology 70 (2001).
Tony Whitehead, BSc