Flight of the Shima Enaga, a Japanese Bird Who Looks Like a Cotton Ball

Last Updated on July 27, 2024 by Mitch Rezman

The shimaenaga (Aegithalos caudatus japonicus) is a subspecies of the long-tailed tit that is native to Hokkaido, Japan. They are also known as “snow fairies” because of their white faces, small beaks, round eyes, and yellow eyelids.

Here are some facts about the shimaenaga:

Size

They are among the smallest birds in Japan, measuring less than 15 centimeters long, with about half of that length being their tail.

Appearance

They have fluffy, white feathers that puff up with air in cold weather.

Diet

They are insectivores that eat arthropods, eggs, moths, butterflies, and some vegetables.

Behavior

They live in flocks of half a dozen to two dozen from July to February, which are made up of family members from the previous breeding season, plus extra adults to help raise the young. During breeding season, the flocks break up and the birds try to breed in monogamous pairs.

Conservation status

Globally, the long-tailed tit is considered a species of least concern, but they can be vulnerable to extreme cold weather and population losses of up to 80% have been recorded during prolonged cold spells.

However, it is thought that populations recover quickly due to their high breeding potential.

In 2019, the Japan Anniversary Association designated January 20 as “Shimaenaga Day” in recognition of the birds’ fluffy appearance and their tendency to puff out their feathers in the winter.

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