noun
long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus japonicus)
Refers specifically to the Japanese subspecies of the long-tailed tit, a small fluffy bird with a long tail. Often called 'snow fairy' in Japanese social media due to its cute appearance.
See also: エナガ
北海道では冬になるとシマエナガの群れが見られる。
In Hokkaido, flocks of long-tailed tits can be seen in winter.
シマエナガはその
The long-tailed tit is called 'snow fairy' because of its fluffy appearance.
Katakana spelling is the most common written form, especially in field guides and popular media.
Kanji spelling is rare and mostly seen in older or specialized texts; the word is usually written in kana.
Compound of 島 (shima, 'island') + エナガ (enaga, 'long-tailed tit'), referring to the subspecies found in Japan. The kanji 柄長 literally means 'long handle', describing the bird's long tail.