Bearded Reedling

The bearded reedling, also known as the bearded tit or bearded parrotbill, is a small, orange-brown bird distinguished by its long tail and undulating flight. This species, which exhibits sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females differ in appearance, is the only member of the family Panuridae. Male bearded reedlings have a grey head with distinctive black moustaches and black lower tail coverts, whereas females are paler and lack the black moustache. Their "ping" call often gives away their presence in reedbeds. The bearded reedling is native to temperate Europe and parts of the Palearctic, and it specializes in wetland habitats, particularly large reed beds near lakes or swamps. It has a varied diet that changes seasonally, feeding on reed aphids in summer and reed seeds in winter, with adaptations in its digestive system to handle these different foods. Its geographical distribution includes subspecies across northern and western Europe, eastern Europe to China, and in Turkey, with altitudinal ranges extending from sea level to lofty elevations in China. The bearded reedling is generally non-migratory, though it may relocate during cold weather. It can be vulnerable to harsh winters, which threaten its population numbers. Notable populations can be found in the south and east of England, north Lancashire, County Wexford in Ireland, and a significant group resides in the reedbeds at the mouth of the River Tay in Scotland.