Long-tailed tits???

[Rockin Robin]

I just looked at a book one this website which says there are only six types of tit in britain and ireland. Blue,Great,Coal,Marsh,Willow and crested. Why have they missed out long tailed tits?

http://www.birdfood.co.uk/common_images/icon_store/btn_info.gif More Info (http://www.birdfood.co.uk/product_details.php?area_id=2&group_id=24&nav_id=56&prd_id=1098)

http://www.birdfood.co.uk/common_images/product_store/medium/M18863_02082005094414.jpg (http://www.birdfood.co.uk/product_details.php?area_id=2&group_id=24&nav_id=56&prd_id=1098) Six species of tits occur in Britain and Ireland, Great, Blue, Coal, Marsh, Willow and Crested. The first 3 frequently come into gardens and are the main subject of this book.The other 3 are rare and are discussed only briefly. Discusses annual cycle, behaviour, food and survival.
:confused: What

[PiratesAhoy!]

We get quite a lot of long-tails, particularly at winter. Great to see them hanging from branches and calling to each other.

To have a book like that not mention them is bizarre.

[storye_book]

hi rockin robin and piratesahoy!

strictly speaking, long-tailed tits are not tits. a lot of people don't realise that, and that's why we need educational books like the one you describe.

it belongs to the aegithalidae family, which, like reedlings, are a tit-like species which are not strictly tits. aegithalidae are defined (according to my birdbook) by the shortness of their beaks, and the proportion of tail to body. real tits are paridae, which don't necessarily share those features.

source: collins pocket guide to birds of britain and europe, by heinzel et al (collins 1995)

[PiratesAhoy!]

Very good point, Storye. I keep forgetting that long-tailed tits are not tits per se. It's just habit that makes us group them all together.

[aelish2003]

How about bearded tits? Not that I get them at the birdtable mind!