Eurasian penduline tit

The Eurasian penduline tit, also known as the European penduline tit, is a small songbird belonging to the genus Remiz. The name "Remiz" is derived from the Polish word for this bird, while "pendulinus" in Latin means "hanging down" a reference to its distinctive nest-building style. This bird is widespread across the Palearctic region and experienced a significant expansion in its breeding range in Western Europe during the 1980s and 1990s, even extending its winter range to northern Morocco.

One of the most captivating aspects of the Eurasian penduline tit is its intricate, hanging nests. These nests are so finely crafted that they were historically used as children's slippers in Central Europe. The bird was first described by Linnaeus in 1758 in his seminal work "Systema Naturae" under the name Motacilla pendulinus.

Regarding conservation, the Eurasian penduline tit is faring quite well. It inhabits a vast range of 1-10 million square kilometers, with an estimated population of 420,000 to 840,000 individuals in Europe alone. The population appears to be increasing, and it does not meet the criteria for a significant decline according to the IUCN Red List. Consequently, it is classified as Least Concern, indicating it is not currently at risk of extinction.