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Bearded Reedling Identification Guide

The Bearded Reedling is a small passerine closely associated with reedbeds and easily recognised by the male’s black moustaches. You will learn how to identify males, females and juveniles, recognise its calls, understand its behaviour, diet and preferred habitats.
Its scientific name is '**Panurus biarmicus**', from the family Panuridae (order Passeriformes)

Its scientific name is 'Panurus biarmicus', from the family Panuridae (order Passeriformes)

What I look like

What I look like

The Bearded Reedling is about the **size of a Great Tit**.

The Bearded Reedling is about the size of a Great Tit.

Its silhouette resembles that of the **Long-tailed Tit** with a **small round body** and a **long tail**.

Its silhouette resembles that of the Long-tailed Tit with a small round body and a long tail.

Its **light** plumage is **yellowish-brown**.

Its light plumage is yellowish-brown.

The male is recognized by its **light blue-gray head** and **black "moustaches"**. Its throat is white.

The male is recognized by its light blue-gray head and black "moustaches". Its throat is white.

Its undertail coverts are **black**.

Its undertail coverts are black.

The female is recognized by her **ochre-brown head without moustaches**.

The female is recognized by her ochre-brown head without moustaches.

Her undertail coverts are **"chamois"**.

Her undertail coverts are "chamois".

Juveniles **resemble the female**, but with some **black plumage on the back and tail** and a small **dark "mask"**.

Juveniles resemble the female, but with some black plumage on the back and tail and a small dark "mask".

Discover also : White-throated Dipper Identification
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My songs, my calls

My songs, my calls

The Bearded Reedling makes **contact calls in groups**. You hear **cheerful "pings"** in the reeds or upon their flight.

The Bearded Reedling makes contact calls in groups. You hear cheerful "pings" in the reeds or upon their flight.

Here, you hear a **large group**. "pings"

Here, you hear a large group. "pings"

Its **song is scratchy and uncertain**, generally composed of a **short little phrase**. "tjit-tchrèèh-tchrè dchik-tchrèèh-tit.." which is reminiscent of a simple Reed Bunting song.

Its song is scratchy and uncertain, generally composed of a short little phrase. "tjit-tchrèèh-tchrè dchik-tchrèèh-tit.." which is reminiscent of a simple Reed Bunting song.

Discover also : Eurasian Penduline Tit Identification
Identifying a bird by its song is easier than you think. The course "Ornitho Mnemolia - Water birds" trains you with progressive audio quizzes. Start the course
How I behave

How I behave

The Bearded Reedling is **skillful and climbs agilely** in the reeds. Its behavior is thus similar to the **Reed Bunting**.

The Bearded Reedling is skillful and climbs agilely in the reeds. Its behavior is thus similar to the Reed Bunting.

It **often flicks its tail**, raises or spreads it in flight.

It often flicks its tail, raises or spreads it in flight.

It flies with **vibrant wingbeats** and sometimes irregular trajectories. It flies **low in the reeds** and **moves in groups**.

It flies with vibrant wingbeats and sometimes irregular trajectories. It flies low in the reeds and moves in groups.

When winter arrives, **families gather in flocks**.

When winter arrives, families gather in flocks.

Discover also : Common Kingfisher Identification
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How I reproduce

How I reproduce

The Bearded Reedling **nests in colonies**.

The Bearded Reedling nests in colonies.

Its nest is low, made of **stems and reeds**.

Its nest is low, made of stems and reeds.

The breeding season, which lasts from March to the end of summer, allows for two broods of 5 to 7 eggs.

The breeding season, which lasts from March to the end of summer, allows for two broods of 5 to 7 eggs.

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What I eat

What I eat

The Bearded Reedling feeds on **insects, spiders, and small mollusks** during the warm season.

The Bearded Reedling feeds on insects, spiders, and small mollusks during the warm season.

It hunts **in the reeds, on the ground, or on the water's surface**.

It hunts in the reeds, on the ground, or on the water's surface.

In winter, it feeds on various **seeds**, abundant in the vegetation of the reed beds.

In winter, it feeds on various seeds, abundant in the vegetation of the reed beds.

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Where to find me

Where to find me

The Bearded Reedling lives in the **dense reed beds of lakes**. But also in marshes, in the plains.

The Bearded Reedling lives in the dense reed beds of lakes. But also in marshes, in the plains.

It is **mostly sedentary**. A few individuals in the north migrate south in winter.

It is mostly sedentary. A few individuals in the north migrate south in winter.

**Sensitive to cold**, it can be decimated if the winter is harsh.

Sensitive to cold, it can be decimated if the winter is harsh.

It can live **about six years**.

It can live about six years.

Discover also : Reed Bunting Identification
Finding a species also means understanding its habitat. The course "Ornitho Mnemolia - Water birds" helps you locate each bird in the right place. Start the course
The Bearded Reedling is defined by strong sexual dimorphism, group living in reedbeds, seasonal feeding habits and sensitivity to severe winters.