How to Attract Aegithalidae Birds (Long-Tailed Tits) to Your Garden

How to Attract Aegithalidae Birds (Long-Tailed Tits) to Your Garden

Aegithalidae birds, commonly known as Long-Tailed Tits, are small, social songbirds recognized for their fluffy appearance, long tails, and delightful calls. These charming birds are native to Europe and Asia and often travel in flocks, making them a joy to watch. While they mainly reside in woodlands and hedgerows, attracting them to your garden is possible with the right mix of food, shelter, and water. In this blog, we’ll explore practical tips to make your garden a welcoming place for Long-Tailed Tits.

1. Offer High-Energy Foods

Long-Tailed Tits have a fast metabolism and need a high-energy diet to stay active, especially during winter.

Best Foods for Long-Tailed Tits:

• Suet balls or cakes: High in fat, perfect for colder months.
• Peanut granules: Easy to eat and rich in fats and protein.
• Sunflower hearts: Soft and nutritious, preferred over whole seeds.
• Mealworms: Live or dried, great for protein.
• Fat-based feeders: Containing seeds and insects.

Tip: Use hanging feeders or mesh feeders—Long-Tailed Tits are acrobatic and comfortable clinging to them. Avoid feeders with wide gaps as these birds are tiny and can slip through.

2. Attract Insects Naturally

Long-Tailed Tits are insectivores for most of the year, feeding on spiders, caterpillars, and small insects.

How to Attract Insects:

• Native flowering plants: Attract beetles, flies, and caterpillars.
• Compost heaps: Provide beetles and larvae.
• Hedges and shrubs: Offer hiding spots for insects.
• Avoid pesticides: Preserve natural insect populations.

Providing a diverse range of plants ensures a steady insect supply, especially in spring and summer when Long-Tailed Tits are raising their young.

3. Provide Fresh Water Sources

Like all birds, Long-Tailed Tits need fresh water for drinking and bathing.

Water Source Tips:

• Shallow birdbaths: Ensure they are not too deep for small birds.
• Moving water: Use fountains or drippers to catch their attention.
• Safe placement: Position baths near trees or shrubs for a quick escape.
• Winter care: Use a heated birdbath in colder months to prevent freezing.

Tip: Clean birdbaths regularly to prevent the spread of diseases.

4. Plant Dense Shrubs for Shelter

Long-Tailed Tits build their nests in dense shrubs or hedges to stay hidden from predators.

Best Shrubs for Shelter:

• Hawthorn: Thick branches and berries for insects.
• Holly: Dense and offers winter protection.
• Privet: Great for nesting and privacy.
• Brambles: Attract insects and provide berries.

These shrubs also offer protection from predators like magpies and sparrowhawks, which can threaten Long-Tailed Tits during nesting season.

5. Create Nesting Sites

Long-Tailed Tits build intricate, dome-shaped nests using moss, feathers, and spider silk. Providing nesting materials can encourage them to settle in your garden.

Nesting Materials to Offer:

• Moss: Ideal for lining nests.
• Feathers: Provide warmth and softness.
• Sheep’s wool or natural fibers: Avoid synthetic materials.
• Spider webs: Useful for binding the nest together.

Place these materials in small mesh bags or drape them on shrubs where Long-Tailed Tits can easily access them.

6. Offer Small and Accessible Feeders

Long-Tailed Tits are tiny and prefer small, easily accessible feeders over large ones.

Recommended Feeders:

• Peanut feeders: Mesh-style to prevent large birds from taking over.
• Coconut halves: Filled with suet and seeds.
• Fat ball holders: Ensure they are secure and not too crowded.
• Tube feeders: With small perches and ports.

Tip: Hang feeders near shrubs or trees to give them quick cover if a predator appears.

7. Maintain a Quiet and Safe Environment

Long-Tailed Tits are shy and prefer quiet, undisturbed areas. To make them feel safe:

• Avoid placing feeders in noisy or high-traffic areas.
• Install natural hedges or screens to reduce noise.
• Keep pets, especially cats, away from feeding and nesting areas.

The more secure and undisturbed the environment, the more likely Long-Tailed Tits will visit frequently.

8. Grow Berry-Producing Plants

While Long-Tailed Tits do not rely heavily on berries, these plants attract insects and provide occasional winter snacks.

Recommended Plants:

• Elderberry: Attracts insects and offers berries in autumn.
• Rowan: Berries for winter and insects in summer.
• Dogwood: Dense cover and berries.
• Blackthorn: Great for insects and seasonal berries.

These plants not only provide occasional food but also create a natural and insect-rich habitat.

9. Use Perch Poles for Easy Access

Long-Tailed Tits move quickly and prefer to hop between branches and perches. Adding perch poles can help them access feeders and baths more comfortably.

Tips for Perch Poles:

• Place them near feeders and baths for easy hopping.
• Use natural branches instead of metal poles.
• Position them at different heights to mimic a natural forest floor.

These perches also provide a place for them to preen and rest between feeding.

10. Be Patient and Consistent

Long-Tailed Tits often move in small flocks and may take time to discover new feeding spots. To keep them coming back:

• Refill feeders regularly with high-energy foods.
• Maintain fresh water sources.
• Keep the garden safe and predator-free.

Once they recognize your garden as a reliable food source, you can expect daily visits, especially in winter when natural food is scarce.

Conclusion

Attracting Long-Tailed Tits to your garden is all about creating a safe, insect-rich environment with plenty of high-energy foods and fresh water. By planting native shrubs, providing suet and mealworms, and keeping the garden quiet and protected, you can turn your backyard into a haven for these delightful birds. With a bit of patience and the right setup, you’ll soon enjoy the sight of their acrobatic movements and hear their cheerful calls brightening up the day.