bumbarrel

English

A bumbarrell or long-tailed tit, Aegithalos caudatus

Noun

bumbarrel (plural bumbarrels)

1. (dated) A long-tailed tit, a small passerine bird; Aegithalos caudatus.
   • 2009 March 25, Michael McCarthy, “Triumph of the bumbarrel (aka the long-tailed tit)”, in The Independent‎^[1]:

     One of Britain's most charming small birds, once known as the bumbarrel, has entered the garden birdwatch top 10 for the first time. The tiny long-tailed tit is so small – the tail is longer than the body – that it is very vulnerable to cold weather.

   • 2012 March 12, Katie Fuller, “This weekend... spot a bumbarrel”, in RSPB.org‎^[2]:

     ‘Bumbarrel’ is an old name for the long-tailed tit, everyone's favourite garden bird. And the reason they're called that is for the shape of their nest.