What is the origin of the Japanese Tit's name?

The Japanese Tit is written as '四十雀' in Kanji, and there are several theories about its name's origin.

One theory suggests the name was given because 'one Japanese Tit is worth forty sparrows'. However, this origin is unclear, and it is not known what exactly 'worth forty sparrows' means.

Another theory is that it was named for its behavior of forming flocks. Japanese Tits form large flocks during the non-breeding season from autumn to winter, which may have influenced their naming.

Sometimes these flocks are quite large, and the sight of them perched in trees is striking enough to inspire their name.

Lastly, there's a theory based on their calls. The Japanese Tit makes various sounds, and one of their calls sounds like 'Jiji'. This sound might have evolved into the name 'Shijukara'.

This last reason seems most plausible because the Japanese Tit is known for its distinctive calls. If you see one, take a moment to listen to its beautiful song!

What does the Japanese Tit eat?

The Japanese Tit is omnivorous and eats a variety of things. Insects are the most common part of their diet, with one bird eating up to 125,000 insects in a year.

Such a number might seem staggering, but it helps control insect populations to a beneficial extent.

You might wonder why they eat so much. Japanese Tits are active and naturally need a lot of energy for flying, which explains their high insect consumption.

However, they need to be light for flight, which means they also defecate frequently. While they can be seen as 'godsend birds' to those who dislike insects, their droppings might be a nuisance.

In winter, when insects are scarce, they switch to eating fruits and seeds. They eat both on the ground and in trees, though they tend to eat more on the ground during winter.

They don't store food for the winter but have been observed stealing stores from other birds, showing a cheeky side to their otherwise gentlemanly appearance.

What is the relationship between the Japanese Tit and the Varied Tit?

The Varied Tit is another bird with a similar name, which might suggest a close relationship. However, they are quite different.

While they are similar in size, their markings are quite distinct. The Japanese Tit has a monochrome face with notable white cheeks, whereas the Varied Tit has a pale blue head with enchanting black eye-lines and lacks the 'necktie' pattern found in the Japanese Tit, having a completely white belly instead.

There are also slight differences in their habitats. Japanese Tits are commonly seen in urban areas, while Varied Tits are more common in mountains and forests and are popular among bird watchers but less familiar to the general public.

Moreover, they belong to different families, making them not so closely related.

Is it true that the Japanese Tit has a high linguistic ability?

Despite its neat appearance, research has shown that the Japanese Tit possesses significant linguistic capabilities. They not only call but combine sounds into complex messages to communicate with their peers.

When the combinations of sounds change, so does the response from other Japanese Tits, suggesting a sophisticated level of communication.

For example, parent birds alert their chicks to dangers with specific calls, prompting them to take appropriate defensive actions. They crouch to hide from crows and flee from the nest in response to snakes.

This behavior essentially translates to vocal messages like 'Hide, a crow is coming!' or 'Escape, a snake is approaching!'

This kind of sophisticated communication was previously known only in highly intelligent animals like chimpanzees. The Japanese Tit is among the few species that can rearrange syntactic structures to understand vocalizations.

What are the natural predators of the Japanese Tit?

Japanese Tits face many predators as they are not very strong birds. Common threats include snakes, crows, and birds of prey like falcons.

These predators typically attack the chicks rather than adult birds.

Although their high linguistic ability allows them to perceive danger, it is not foolproof. Many chicks are preyed upon before they can grow.

Surviving in the wild requires not just individual cleverness or tricks but also a bit of luck.

What is the lifespan of the Japanese Tit?

The lifespan of a wild Japanese Tit is about one and a half years. However, this figure does not reflect natural aging but rather the harsh realities of their environment.

They face numerous dangers such as predators like snakes and crows, extreme weather conditions, and food scarcity during winter, leading to competition with other species.

Under less harsh conditions, they could live for about seven to ten years, illustrating the severity of their natural environment.