Eurasian Penduline Tit

Overview

The Eurasian penduline tit (Remiz pendulinus) is a small passerine bird native to the western Palearctic. It is migratory in the northern part of its range but remains resident in the south.

Identification

• Small bird measuring 10–11.5 cm in length with a finely pointed bill and relatively long tail.
• Head is light grey with a distinct black 'mask' through the eye; the back is chestnut brown.
• Males display a broader facial mask and a more rufous back compared to females.

Habitat

Widespread across the western Palearctic, the breeding range expanded during the 1980s and 1990s, reaching as far south as northern Morocco in winter. Nesting sites typically involve trees such as willows, elms, or birches, and reeds, often suspended over water.

Diet

Primarily feeds on insects and spiders, but also consumes seeds such as those from willows. Foraging occurs in trees and reeds, where the bird uses one foot to cling to stems and the other to pull out clumps of seeds from heads.

Did you know?

The species constructs elaborate hanging nests that are approximately 25 cm in height and 17 cm in diameter, which were formerly used in Central Europe as children's slippers.