today's absolutely CUTIEEEEE is.... the long-tailed tit! (yes i laughed when i first read this name) also known as the japanese snow fairy! it's a tiny, round bird with a super long tail, and it's mostly white with some black and brown markings. their heads are completely white, which makes them look like little fluffy snowballs! long-tailed tits mostly eat insects and other small invertebrates, like aphids, caterpillars, and spiders. they're great at foraging among leaves and bark for these tiny creatures. they'll also munch on some plant matter, like seeds, especially in winter when insects are scarcer. long-tailed tits live in woodlands, hedgerows, and scrubland across europe and asia. the specific japanese subspecies, the one often called the "snow fairy," is found in japan. they prefer deciduous or mixed forests with plenty of undergrowth for foraging and nesting. fun facts : -they build amazing, stretchy nests shaped like a dome, often camouflaged with lichen and spider silk! -they're super social and often huddle together in groups to keep warm on cold nights. if a pair's nest fails, they'll often help other pairs in their flock raise their chicks!