Like tiny pom-poms on sticks, Long-tailed Tits forage in small family groups as a resident species throughout Portugal. They keep up a mouse-like squeaking as a contact call in amongst the troupe so are easy to find as they move through the trees and undergrowth.
There is a significant plumage difference between the northern, southern, eastern and western branches of this species and we in Portugal posess one of the darker shades with a grey back, pink-streaked breast and belly, white throat and dark lateral bands to the head with a white central strip.
Their nest, made of lichen spiders' webs and feathers, is a marvel though difficult to find as it is normally well hidden in amongst dense foliage 3 mts or so off the ground.
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