Penduline Tits

Penduline tits are a family of small, passerine birds known for their distinctive bag nests that hang from trees, often over water. These birds, which range from 7.5 to 11 cm in length, have fine bills and display plumage that is typically pale gray, yellow, and white, with variations such as black, chestnut, red or bright yellow in certain species like the European penduline tit. Penduline tits inhabit regions across Eurasia, Africa, and North America, with the largest genre located in sub-Saharan Africa and another notable presence is in Palearctic from Portugal to Japan. The verdin, residing in arid southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, opts for a domed nest constructed from thorny twigs. These active foragers primarily eat insects, but also consume nectar, seeds, and fruits depending on the season. Their foraging behavior includes intricate movements, such as foraging upside-down, and handling food with their feet, which is similar to the true tits. Notably, penduline tits live in small flocks for most of the year and exhibit migratory patterns in certain Eurasian species, while African species and the verdin are non-migratory. Penduline tits present unique reproductive traits such as constructing elaborate nests using materials like spiderwebs and soft plant components, with some African species creating nests with faux entrances to deceive predators. Egg characteristics vary by species, with incubation lasting around 13 to 14 days and offspring fledging in approximately 18 days. Interestingly, genetic studies show that higher occurrences of non-pair offspring in penduline tits correlate to a reduction of male parental care. The family Remizidae, introduced by Léon Olphe-Galliard in 1891, consists of 11 species across 3 genera and has been linked closely to the true tit family (Paridae), though their exact classification remains a subject of debate among ornithologists. The family incorporates elusive species whose placement within this group or related ones continues to be reassessed based on new scientific insights.