An Activity Guide About the Songbirds of British Columbia Family AEGITHALIDAE: Long-tailed Tit

Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)   uses bird feeders FIELD MARKS This is the only species of long-tailed tit in British Columbia. The Bushtit is a very small dull brownish-grey bird with light underparts. These birds have no distinguishing features other than that their tail is as long as the rest of their body. Approximate length: 9 cm FOOD The Bushtit eats a wide variety of insects as well as spiders, berries and seeds. During the non-breeding season they are very conspicuous as they congregate together in small flocks flitting quickly from one tree to another feeding as they go. HABITAT The Bushtit prefers deciduous and mixed woodland edges and openings. It can also be found around shrubs in backyards of residential and rural areas. NESTING Both female and male Bushtits build their large, intricate sock-shaped nests that are woven out of mosses, lichens, spider webs, plant down and cocoons. The nest can be found hanging from the branch of a tree and can be as large as a 35 cm long. These nests are often found in people backyards in small ornamental shrubs low to the ground. The small entrance hole of the nest is usually near the top. The female Bushtit lays 5-7 dull white eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs. STATUS Common in rural and urban areas of southern Vancouver Island and the lower mainland.