Page 352 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

TITS AND ALLIES
Order Passeriformes Family Remizidae Species Remiz pendulinus
Penduline Tit pale grey sharp, narrow,
triangular bill
head
narrower black
deep red-brown mask broad
band across black
wings
red-brown mask
back
MALE
plain head
gradually
develops
IN FLIGHT black
FEMALE
uniform, plain,
pale brown buffish
back
underside
black legs
plain dark
tail
MALE
JUVENILE
FLIGHT: quick, erratic, bounding undulations with
bursts of wingbeats.
BOTTLE NEST
small, neat, well-patterned bird, the The remarkable flask-shaped nest
A Penduline Tit can be hard to spot (even of the Penduline Tit has a short
entrance tube high up on one side.
though easily heard) in tall riverside treetops;
in winter, it is often in lower bushes in and
around reedbeds and may be easier to find. It
is usually close to water, although sometimes
several fields away in lines of trees along little
more than a ditch or beside a damp meadow.
It is common in southeast Europe, but
spreading in the west, with increasing
appearances in the UK.
VOICE Distinctive high, far-carrying, pure
whistle, psieeee, longer than similar Reed
Bunting note (see p.395);song simple mix
of trills and calls.
NESTING Remarkable
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
hanging nest of plant In summer, widespread north to
down and cobwebs with LINNET 32; Baltic; in winter, in Mediterranean
in open places;
tubular entrance high on see p.382 area, rare in UK. Breeds in and
side, dangling from slim much bigger around wetlands with tall trees,
twig; 6–8 eggs; 1 brood; larger especially willows and poplars,
and in reeds or reedmace; in
May–June.
winter, mostly in reedbeds.
FEEDING Eats small RED-BACKED SHRIKE 3;
insects and reed seeds, in more sedate; Seen in the UK
see p.357
acrobatic tit-like manner. JF M A M J JA S ON D
Length 10–11cm (4–4 1 ⁄4in) Wingspan 20cm (8in) Weight 8–10g ( 5 ⁄16 – 3 ⁄8oz)
Social Small flocks Lifespan 3–5 years Status Secure†
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