By Obiabin Onukwugha
Penduline tits are tiny passerines, ranging from 7.5cm to 11cm in length. Their wings are short and rounded and their short tails are notched (except the stub-tailed tit).
They live in Eurasia, Africa and North America.
Several species of penduline tit are migratory, although this behaviour is only shown in species found in Asia and Europe. African species and the Verdin are apparently sedentary.
Insects form the larger part of their diet and they are active foragers. Their long conical bill is used to probe into cracks and prise open holes in order to obtain prey.
It generally searches for food in trees but will also forage in reeds where it will take insects from the stem as well as the seed head. It uses one foot to cling to the reed and the other to pull out clumps of seeds from the head.
Researchers note that one of the fascinating traits of penduline tits is their unique morphology that showcases nature’s ingenuity. These tiny birds exemplify a perfect blend of size, shape, plumage coloration, and beak structure that make them successful inhabitants of a variety of ecological niches.
The males often flaunt striking black masks over their eyes with a rusty-brown head cap and creamy white underparts, while females display more subtle contrasting colors.
They play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance as they contribute to seed dispersal by feasting on small seeds from shrubs or trees like willows or poplars. Moreover, they prey on insects such as caterpillars, thus helping control pest populations.
Their distinctive nests made from plant material and spider silk serve as architectural marvels and are suspended like hammocks from tree branches.
They are active in flocks, as they wander through brush and thickets, hunting seeds, berries, and small insects.
Penduline tits lay eggs from the end of April to the beginning of July. After a male attracts a female, they mate. He then gets to work building a large nest hanging from a bough, with a narrow-mouthed opening in which the mother can hop in order to lay the eggs. Either the mother or the father will take on the job of incubating the eggs and then feeding the chicks once they hatch.
Scientists however observe that there’s one disturbing little fact to consider: a third of the egg clutches laid by Penduline Tits are abandoned by both parents. The chicks are perfectly healthy, but they are left to die.
The Bird King of Africa
It was told that once upon a time, the birds of Africa wanted a king. Men have a king, so have animals, and why shouldn’t they?
So all the birds assembled to choose a bird king to rule all of Africa.
“The Ostrich, because he is the largest bid in Africa,” one called out.
They replied “No, he can’t fly.”
“Eagle, on account of his strength.”
They replied “Not he, he cannot sing.”
“Vulture, because he can fly the highest.”
They replied “No, Vulture is too dirty, his odor is terrible.”
“Peacock, he is so beautiful.”
They replied “His feet are too ugly, and also his voice.”
“Owl, because he can see well.”
They replied “Not Owl, he is scared of the light.”
And so they got no further. Then one shouted aloud, “He who can fly the highest will be king.” “Yes, yes,” they all screamed, and at a given signal they all ascended straight up into the sky.
Vulture flew for three whole days without stopping, straight toward the sun. Then he cried aloud, “I am the highest, I am king.”
“Ha-Ha-Ha,” he heard above him. There the smallest bird in Africa, but the penduline-tit whose name was Tink, was flying next to him. Tink had held fast to one of the great wing feathers of Vulture, and had never been felt, he was so light. “Ha-a-ha-ha, I am the highest, I am king,” Tink said.
Vulture flew for another day still ascending. “I am highest, I am king.”
“Ha-Ha-Ha, I am the highest, I am king,” Tink mocked. There he was again, having crept out from under the wing of Vulture.
Vulture flew on the fifth day straight up in the air. “I am the highest, I am king,” he called.
“Ha-Ha-Ha,” piped the little fellow above him. “I am the highest, I am king.”
Vulture was tired and now flew direct to earth. The other birds were mad and decided Tink must be punished because he had taken advantage of Vulture’s feathers.
All the birds flew after Tink, but tink took refuge in a mouse hole.
But how were they to get him out? The birds decided someone must stand guard to seize Tink the moment he pokes his head out of the mouse hole.
“Owl must keep guard; he has the largest eyes; he can see well,” they exclaimed.
That night owl went and took up his position before the hole but in the morning the sun was warm and soon owl became sleepy and fell fast asleep.
Tink peeped his head out of the hole, saw that Owl was asleep, and zipped away up into the trees.
Shortly afterward the other birds came to see if Tink was still in the hole. “Ha-Ha-Ha,” they heard in a tree; and there sat the little cheating Tink.
To this day, Tink, the Penduline tit can be heard singing and laughing at the funny trick he pulled on the other birds.