Long-tailed tits are highly social birds that live in family groups year-round, with welfare considerations around winter survival, nest predation and their cooperative breeding system.
Long-tailed tit welfare is most vulnerable during cold winter weather and early spring breeding when nest temperatures are critical for egg survival. Ice storms and prolonged cold snaps cause widespread mortality from hypothermia and starvation. The tight social bonds in family groups mean surviving members show behavioural responses to group member loss. Cold snaps during incubation destroy whole nests requiring birds to start again at a late date.