A short tale about a long tail

Long-Tailed Bushtits RSPB Ham Wall - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)
Long-Tailed Bushtit at RSPB Ham Wall


The Long Tailed Tit’s name is misleading. Just because its name is ‘tit’ people  always assume that it’s related to the Blue Tit and Great Tit and Coal Tit. 

However, it isn’t closely related at all.

The RSPB’s website says: “Like most tits, they rove the woods and hedgerows, but are also seen on heaths and commons with suitable bushes.” Yes, but they’re not tits like the other tits. Here’s one at the RSPB reserve Ham Wall in Somerset:

Long-Tailed Bushtits RSPB Ham Wall - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)
Long-Tailed Bushtit at RSPB Ham Wall


I’m relieved when I find the RSPB page which says: “Long-tailed tits are related to several species in Asia, but are the only member of the family found in the UK and Europe.”

I think I’ll insist on calling them Long-Tailed Bushtits from now on to make that clear. Either that or Pink Fuzzy Lollipops:

Long-Tailed Bushtits RSPB Ham Wall - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)
Long-Tailed Bushtit at RSPB Ham Wall

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