By Ella Davies
Reporter, BBC Nature
Warm spring weather boosts long-tailed tits' chances of surviving the winter, scientists have said.
The UK's population of these little birds has more than doubled in the last forty years.
A 19-year study by researchers in Sheffield links rising spring temperatures to their improved survival.
Biologists suggest the birds are rare "winners" when it comes to climate change.
The results are published in the journal Oikos.
Spring birds
The long-tailed tit is named for its distinctive rear feathers that are longer than its body.
If judged solely on body size, it would be Britain's smallest bird.
In the past, scientists have suggested that cold, wet weather is bad for small birds as they have to expend energy to keep warm but food is less available.
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