Aegithalos caudatus europaeus

Interesting facts: If you see a small black-white feather ball with a long tail, which is scrambling about in the branches, then it is very likely a long-tailed tit. During the breeding period, it usually hides nearly natural mixed forests. In winter, the tiny guest can also be seen occasionally on fat balls. Then it goes about from tree to tree in troupes of up to 50 birds.

Characteristics: It appears small and round, with a very long tail; the plumage is predominantly black-white, conspicuous dark supercilium (Image 1), lacking in the northern European sub-species (Image 2), breast white with touches of pink; tiny, black beak

Body length: Less than 20 cm (sparrow length)

Distribution: Deciduous and mixed forests with plenty of undergrowth, lowland forests, copses, parks and gardens