Remiz pendulinus

The Eurasian Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus, measuring just 11 cm, is easily recognised by its striking black facial mask, which is slightly less noticeable in females and greyish in juveniles. This mask stands out sharply against the greyish-white colour of the head and extends from the lower forehead to the auricular region. The dorsal parts have a chestnut hue, paler in the female, with black borders. The belly is dark with diffuse reddish-brown markings on the chest.

It is a species closely associated with riverine forests, as well as lakes, streams, ponds, and estuaries, provided they have abundant tree vegetation (willows, poplars, and elms) interspersed with reeds, bulrushes, and dense, thorny shrubs. In these places, it not only finds protection while skillfully wandering among tree branches or reed stems, but also ideal locations to build its characteristic globular nest, for which it will use various materials such as thin branches, fibers (either animal or plant), spider webs, feathery seeds, etc.

Its diet is based primarily on small invertebrates (spiders, insects and their larvae, etc.), which it obtains by carefully searching the branches, stems, buds, and flowers of willows, poplars, and reeds. Throughout the winter, it also ingests plant matter, especially willow shoots and seeds.

During the month of April, the female lays 5 to 8 matte white eggs. Incubation lasts about 14 days, and only the female incubates them, while the male provides food.

This article is dedicated to Miguel de Palma, a pigeon fancier and fisherman who passed away recently. A neighbor of mine, he was a curious man and passionate about nature, with whom I shared many conversations about our town’s birdlife. Years ago, he was the first to tell me about this curious little bird, even accompanying me to one of its nests, which, unfortunately, due to its location, was impossible to photograph. Now, many years later, luck has smiled on me, and thanks to the help of my friend Jose Ventura, we were able to locate a nest located in the center of a huge tamarisk tree in very good condition for a photo shoot. Miguel, the man who monitored the river nightingales, fed the sparrows in the park every day, and even had a talking magpie, must be smiling now.