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rozinante · Sunday 25th March 2007, 23:06

Seeing a group of long-tailed tit's yesterday, I noticed one of them didn't seem to be moving quite right. On closer inspection it didn't have any long tail feathers at all.

Is this likely to be due to close shave with a predator, or could it be a moulting problem?

KnockerNorton · Monday 26th March 2007, 09:56

It will be loss through an accident. It's not uncommon, and will regrow in about 4 weeks.

Jane Turner · Monday 26th March 2007, 10:06

It really affects their aerodynamics in the interim though!

KnockerNorton · Monday 26th March 2007, 10:17

But they don't half look cute. And mildly silly.

rozinante · Monday 26th March 2007, 10:34

It was quite distinctive. Like a manic pom-pom.

Glad to hear it should regrow. Thats quite some growth rate Poecile, 4wks!

KnockerNorton · Monday 26th March 2007, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by rozinante

It was quite distinctive. Like a manic pom-pom.

Glad to hear it should regrow. Thats quite some growth rate Poecile, 4wks!

Think about it - a newly-hatched long-tailed tit grows one from scratch in less than 3 weeks.

Momo · Monday 26th March 2007, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poecile

It will be loss through an accident. It's not uncommon, and will regrow in about 4 weeks.

In the meantime it has to be the smallest bird in Europe no? (Not counting eggs, chicks, escaped bee hummingbirds etc.)

Pete Mella · Monday 26th March 2007, 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momo

In the meantime it has to be the smallest bird in Europe no? (Not counting eggs, chicks, escaped bee hummingbirds etc.)

I think that's right, I remember reading something along the lines of "the long-tailed tit would beat the goldcrest if it wasn't for its bloody long daft tail". Probably wasn't worded quite like that...

KnockerNorton · Monday 26th March 2007, 15:52

Not so sure about that - 'crests weight a lot less than LTT, about 5-7g vs 7-9g.

Jack Snipe · Monday 26th March 2007, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poecile

Not so sure about that - 'crests weight a lot less than LTT, about 5-7g vs 7-9g.

We get small flocks of these endearing little balls of fluff every winter near the motorway junction (M60) in Stockport - they remind me of a squadron of little furry helicopters the way they fly together.

Pete Mella · Monday 26th March 2007, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poecile

Not so sure about that - 'crests weight a lot less than LTT, about 5-7g vs 7-9g.

I think it was going on lenth rather than weight... I may be wrong and I'll try and dig it out.

Vectis Birder · Monday 26th March 2007, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by rozinante

It was quite distinctive. Like a manic pom-pom.

I'm trying to visualise that.

Sunday 25th March 2007, 23:06	#1
rozinante Anarchism is order Join Date: May 2006 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1,110	No tail on long-tailed tit! Seeing a group of long-tailed tit's yesterday, I noticed one of them didn't seem to be moving quite right. On closer inspection it didn't have any long tail feathers at all. Is this likely to be due to close shave with a predator, or could it be a moulting problem?

Monday 26th March 2007, 10:06	#3
Jane Turner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hoylake, Merseyside Posts: 19,569 My location	It really affects their aerodynamics in the interim though! __________________ If I'm not online I'm probably here! Last Cheshire Lesser Scaup (301) last Red Rocks Cetti's Warbler (249), last Garden Avocet (202), last Self-found Great White Egret (293)
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Monday 26th March 2007, 09:56	#2
KnockerNorton Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: England Posts: 3,783	It will be loss through an accident. It's not uncommon, and will regrow in about 4 weeks.

Monday 26th March 2007, 10:17	#4
KnockerNorton Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: England Posts: 3,783	But they don't half look cute. And mildly silly.

Monday 26th March 2007, 10:34	#5
rozinante Anarchism is order Join Date: May 2006 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1,110	It was quite distinctive. Like a manic pom-pom. Glad to hear it should regrow. Thats quite some growth rate Poecile, 4wks!

Monday 26th March 2007, 15:52	#9
KnockerNorton Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: England Posts: 3,783	Not so sure about that - 'crests weight a lot less than LTT, about 5-7g vs 7-9g.

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