[For Seniors] Long-tailed Tit Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts: Learn Their Habits and Traits to Deepen Your Knowledge

It has a black-brown pattern around the neck.

In winter, long-tailed tits fluff up their feathers, giving them a distinctive, pure white, round, and adorable appearance. In summer, however, they molt and develop dark brown markings around the neck. Their look becomes a bit sleeker, and summer long-tailed tits give a somewhat different impression from their winter appearance, often called the “snow fairy.”

Aegithalidae

The long-tailed tit subspecies known as the Shima-enaga is a bird classified in the order Passeriformes, family Aegithalidae, genus Aegithalos. Members of Aegithalidae are characterized by their round bodies and long tails. The Shima-enaga inhabits Hokkaido, Japan, and is affectionately called the “snow fairy” for its charming appearance. Incidentally, the Shima-enaga is a subspecies of the long-tailed tit and occurs naturally in Japan only in Hokkaido.

Because the photo book was released.

The long-tailed tit became famous nationwide after the release of a photo book that captured its adorable appearance. Photographer Rei Obara’s photo book “Shimaenaga-chan” was a hit and drew a lot of attention. It was subsequently featured on television and online media, and its popularity grew further as a soothing, comforting presence.

feather(s) / plumage

To protect their eggs and chicks from the cold, long-tailed tits line the inside of their nests with their own feathers, moss, and other soft materials. The feathers are fluffy, gently envelop the eggs and chicks, and further improve heat retention. Moss provides insulation and helps maintain humidity, keeping the conditions inside the nest favorable. This allows the chicks, which are still vulnerable to the cold, to grow safely. Such nesting strategies are not unique to long-tailed tits; they are also seen in other small birds as part of their breeding behavior.

about 2 to 4 years

The long-tailed tit (shima-enaga) is a very small species of wild bird, and its lifespan in the wild is generally around 2 to 4 years. In the wild, it faces various challenges such as predators, harsh climates, and food shortages, making longevity quite difficult. However, there have been reports of individuals living more than 4 years in nature. In captivity, where there are no predators, they may live longer.

About three weeks

Long-tailed tit chicks fledge about three weeks after hatching. During that time, the parents frequently bring them food, and the chicks grow rapidly. Even right after fledging, they may still be fed by the parents, but they gradually learn to find food on their own. Compared to other small birds, long-tailed tits fledge relatively early and are well adapted to harsh natural environments.

Upasichiri

The correct answer is Upash-chiri. In Ainu, upash means snow and chiri means bird, so Upash-chiri literally translates to “snow bird.” It is a beautiful name given because the long-tailed tit is covered in pure white winter plumage. Along with its endearing appearance, it has long been cherished by the Ainu people as a bird that represents Hokkaido’s winter.