In Photos: Japan's adorable 'shimaenaga' long-tailed tits soar in popularity

A shimaenaga, a subspecies of the long-tailed tit, is seen in Sapporo on Jan. 6, 2022. Its face looks different depending on the angle. (Mainichi/Taichi Kaizuka)

An adorable shimaenaga, a subspecies of the long-tailed tit, is seen in Sapporo on Jan. 6, 2022. (Mainichi/Taichi Kaizuka)

A shimaenaga, a subspecies of the long-tailed tit, looks up at the sky in Sapporo on Jan. 6, 2022. (Mainichi/Taichi Kaizuka)

Two types of bite-size cakes, pictured in the left four rows, priced at 250 yen (about $2.20) apiece, and small steamed buns in the right two rows, priced at 220 yen (approx. $1.90) each, both in the motif of shimaenaga, a subspecies of the long-tailed tit, are seen at the Tsukushi Makita Japanese-style confectionery shop in Otaru, Hokkaido, on Jan. 12, 2022. (Mainichi/Taichi Kaizuka)

A section featuring crafts by local artists in the motif of shimaenaga, a subspecies of the long-tailed tit, is seen at the michi-no-eki (roadside rest station) Lake Utonai in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, on Jan. 13, 2022. The number of creative products has been increasing at the roadside shop. (Mainichi/Taichi Kaizuka)

A shimaenaga, a subspecies of the long-tailed tit, turns its head around in Sapporo on Jan. 6, 2022. (Mainichi/Taichi Kaizuka)

Many photo enthusiasts gather to take pictures of shimaenaga, a subspecies of the long-tailed tit, in Sapporo on Jan. 6, 2022. (Mainichi/Taichi Kaizuka)