Bearded reedling ... The bearded reedling (Panurus biarmicus) is a small, long-tailed passerine bird found in reed beds near water in the temperate zone of Eurasia. It is frequently known as the bearded tit or occasionally as bearded parrotbill, as historically it was believed to be closely related to either the tits or parrotbills.

Striking long-tailed bird of extensive reed beds. No other species looks very similar, particularly given habitat and behavior: note bright cinnamon-brown plumage, long tail, and yellowish bill; male has blue-gray head and broad black mustaches. Not easy to see well but sometimes feed on reedbed edges, often very low or on adjacent muddy ground.

Bearded reedlings are found in temperate Europe and across the Palearctic. Most birds do not migrate but make eruptive or cold weather movements. Bearded reedlings live in wetlands in large reed beds along lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes, and other fresh and brackish water bodies.

This account summarizes the life history of the Bearded Reedling, including information relating to its identification, systematics, distribution, habitat, diet, vocalizations, breeding ecology, and conservation status.

Despite its name, it isn’t actually related to true tits—in fact, it’s the only species in its family, making it one of the most distinctive and unique small birds in the world.

Watch the stunning Bearded Reedling (Panurus biarmicus), often called the "mustache bird," in cinematic slow motion.

The Bearded Reedling is a wetland songbird that’s enjoying a boom in both population and popularity. Barely larger than a chickadee, the male reedlings are often photographed with their...

The Bearded Reedling spends almost its whole life in vast and thick reeds beds. It practically never leaves this environment and leads a very hidden and discreet life. Without its loud and characteristic cries, it would go unnoticed.

The bearded reedling is a small, sexually dimorphic reed-bed passerine bird. It is frequently known as the bearded tit, due to some similarities to the long-tailed tit, or the bearded parrotbill.

You might hear them referred to as ‘Reedlings’ because calling them Bearded Tits is a misnomer; they’re neither a tit nor bearded. They don’t have any close relatives either and sit in a family group on their own instead.