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

It is a resident bird, not a migratory one.

The long-tailed tit is a type of resident bird that lives in the same region—Hokkaido—throughout the year. Even during the cold winter, it remains in Hokkaido and is active in the snow. Unlike migratory birds, it does not travel to distant places and lives in the same area year-round, so it is rarely seen in other parts of Japan. Thanks to this habit, people can enjoy its adorable appearance throughout Hokkaido’s four seasons.

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The long-tailed tit, known for its very cute appearance and popularity, is not permitted to be kept as a pet due to wildlife protection. Moreover, since it is mainly seen in the wild during the winter, it is known as a bird that is rather difficult to spot.

To trap air in the feathers

To survive the winter cold, long-tailed tits fluff up their feathers to trap air for insulation. Air is an excellent insulator, and the air held within their feathers prevents body heat from escaping and protects them from the cold outside air.

mix with flocks of other kinds of birds

Long-tailed tits sometimes mingle with flocks of other bird species such as Japanese white-eyes and willow tits. This is called a mixed-species flock and is thought to help protect them from predators. It is also said that long-tailed tits often fly at the front of these mixed flocks.

Hokkaido

The long-tailed tit subspecies known as the Shima-enaga lives only in Hokkaido and is not found in other regions. However, its relative, the long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus), has a wide range from Europe to Asia and can, of course, be seen in Japan as well.

fairy

The long-tailed tit has gained popularity for its cute appearance—its white, fluffy plumage and round silhouette, along with a short, tiny beak and bright, beady eyes. Because of this, it’s affectionately known as the “snow fairy.”

long tail

The name “Enaga” (Long-tailed Tit) comes from the bird’s characteristically long tail. Because its tail is so long that it makes up about half of its body length, it was named after a “long-handled ladle” (enaga). Incidentally, the Enaga skillfully moves along tree branches, using its long tail for balance.