Birds With Tails

Just like birds themselves, birds’ tails come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. And some tails of course are more interesting and remarkable than others. The following are birds with tails that never fail to impress!

Long-Tailed Tit

The long-tailed tit, also known as the long-tailed bushtit, is one of the most common garden birds in the UK and while seen year-round they are most often spotted during the winter months. They are both tiny and adorable. And because they have an extra long narrow tail and a round body, they are often compared to looking like a flying lollipop!

Golden Pheasant

Male golden pheasants are brightly colored beautiful birds with long tails. In fact, their tails are so long that they make up around two-thirds of their entire length. They also sport an impressive golden yellow crest on their heads. While a native of western China, the stunning appearance of the golden pheasant has made it one of the most commonly kept pheasant species in captivity around the world.

Peafowl

Male peafowl are known as peacocks while females are called peahens. They are the largest member of the pheasant family and there are two species: the Indian peafowl (also called the blue peafowl) and the green peafowl. Peacocks are more dramatically colored and have longer tails, than peahens.

The elongated feathers that are attached to a peacock’s tail are known as a “train”. The train feathers are a metallic green and sport iridescent blue eyes. The train is displayed by the peacock to attract a mate.  Peahens prefer the males with the longest trains and biggest displays.

Cape Sugarbird

These South African birds with long tails are important pollinators. They mainly feed on nectar and have long specialized beaks and elongated brush-tipped tongues to help them reach it. They also eat insects such as aphids, flies, and grasshoppers. This species’ most distinguishing feature is the long tail of the male birds.

Their tail is about twice the length of their body. In contrast, the females only have tails that are about half the length of their bodies. Cape sugarbirds can be distinguished from other similar species by the spot of yellow under their tails.

Long-Tailed Glossy Starling

As its name suggests the long-tailed glossy starling has an exceptionally long tail. Both males and females are attractive iridescent birds with long glossy purple tails. Their tail is more than half the length of their entire body.

So while they average around 21 inches in length about 13 of those inches are made up of their tail. That long tail is used for balance as the birds forage for food. Long-tailed glossy starlings are native to sub-Saharan Africa.

Peterichman/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 2.0

Greater Racket Tailed Drongo Bird 

At first glance, greater racket-tailed drongo birds may look like birds with 2 tails. That’s because they have 2 twisted tail extensions that look similar in appearance to rackets, from which they get their name. These Asian birds aren’t known only for their unique tail, but also for their highly-skilled mimicry. Greater racket-tailed drongo birds are able to perfectly mimic the calls of many other bird species in their environment.

African Paradise Flycatcher

While these noisy birds may have short legs and a medium size body, adult males are known for their highly elongated central tail feathers. Their tails are more than twice the length of their bodies.

And while their long streamers may have the added benefit of helping human observers to locate the birds when in thick foliage, their long tails are actually used to help attract a mate during their courtship displays. Females lack the long tail streamers as their tails are only moderate in length.

Wild Turkey

Wild Turkeys are the wild ancestors of the domestic turkey. They are north America’s biggest upland game bird. In addition to having bald heads and beards, male turkeys have impressive fan-shaped tails that are made up of feathers of equal size.

Like many other birds with fan-shaped tails, the adult males referred to as “toms” will spread their tails in a display to attract females. Known as “strutting,” during this grand courtship display males will also drag their wing tips on the ground, gobble, and erect their body feathers.

Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

This large black cockatoo hails from Australia and is often seen (and heard as they are quite noisy) in large flocks. Adult males have bright red tail panels which make for a stunning contrast to their black plumage. Because of their beauty and rarity this species is known for fetching high prices in the pet trade. In captivity with the proper care, red-tailed black cockatoos are known to reach the age of 100 years old.

Bald Eagle

In North America, there is no other bird as recognizable as the Bald Eagle. Adult birds can be differentiated immediately from other species. That’s because they are birds with white heads and white tails that contrast their darkly colored bodies not to mention their yellow legs and feet.

Luckily for the species today it has rebounded from its past population decline which was a direct result of ingesting fish contaminated by the pesticide DDT.

Superb Lyrebird

The superb lyrebird gets its name from its spectacular tail which looks similar to a lyre. However, both females and younger males lack that impressive tail.

As a top-notch mimic, this species not only copies the songs of other birds but can also accurately reproduce the sounds of anything from a ringing phone to a barking dog. These large brown pheasant-like birds can be found in southeastern Australia and southern Tasmania.

Barn Swallow

Barns swallows are recognizable small birds with forked tails and blue upper parts. They are actually the most widespread of any swallow species. And they like to nest in open structures such as barns and stables, but also under wharves and bridges.

The birds’ long forked tails enable them to be fast and agile enough to catch insects in the air. The tails of the male barn swallows are longer. And in some subspecies, the females are more attracted to males with longer streamers, as they tend to be healthier and live longer than those with shorter tails.

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