Bearded reedling · Perching birds
Bearded Reedling
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Panurus biarmicus
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How to recognize it
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Sparrow-sized, long-tailed
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Orange-brown back, pale throat and chest
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Adult male with a blue-grey head and black moustache marks; female with a brown head and no black moustache marks
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Metallic contact call, "ping", from reed beds
About the species
Among the reeds, its warm orange-brown body contrasts with a pale throat and a long tail edged in white. The adult male has a blue-grey head and black moustache marks, while the female’s head is browner and lacks them. Dark and pale patches break up the wings, adding contrast to the otherwise warm plumage.
They climb among reed stems and sometimes hop along muddy ground at the water’s edge. A metallic “ping” keeps group members in touch; outside the breeding season they gather in flocks, while pairs and family groups are more typical during breeding. Pairing can begin within weeks of fledging, and pairs usually stay together year-round.
They live in extensive reed beds beside lakes, rivers and swamps, where the water may be fresh or brackish. Their summer diet includes insects, spiders and other small invertebrates, while seeds from reeds and other plants become the main food in winter. Most stay in the same broad area year-round, though some European populations shift south or southwest for winter, usually only a few hundred kilometres.
Where to find
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Beside freshwater or brackish lakes, swamps, and rivers, listen among the reeds for the metallic "ping" the Bearded Reedling uses to keep in touch.
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Among dense reeds and similar tall wetland plants, watch as it grips the stems and moves along them.
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At a swampy water's edge, look low for short hops across the ground — it readily comes down there.
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In late autumn and winter, watch among reeds and other wetland plants for seeds being taken from plants or scratched from the ground.
