Bearded Reedling
Panurus biarmicus

>> GENERAL >>>>>

– slightly smaller than a sparrow
– diurnal migrant, nocturnal movements recorded
– usually migrates in small, dense flocks
– very vocal

>> FLIGHT >>>>>

– distinct due to flight pattern, body shape and call
– usually in groups of varying size (depending on area, region and years)
– flocks can migrate at surprisingly great height, so that only the calls attract attention
– short flight sequences with rapid wing beats evident
– flight tit-like slow, yet straight despite hectic wingbeats
– flocks mostly without obvious formation, sometimes quite dense though

>> VISUAL ID >>>>>

– long and broad tail striking
– round, short wings
– pale throat and breast
– AD M black “beard” even visible in flight
– AD yellowish-orange bill
– JUV M with yellowish-orange bill
– UV F with black bill
– conspicuous long tail -> Long-tailed Tit


Bearded Reedling Panurus b. biarmicus AD F
BIF2871, 11/09/2014, Beltringhader Koog, Germany, Martin Grimm

BIF223_MPU_I1Q3917_131030_beareedl_3_d_werb-see
Bearded Reedling Panurus b. biarmicus
BIF0223, 30/10/2013, Werbeliner See, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF224_MPU_I1Q3884_131030_beareedl_flock_d_werb-see
Bearded Reedling Panurus b. biarmicus
BIF0224, 30/10/2013, Werbeliner See, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF225_MPU_I1Q3919_131030_beareedl_flock_d_werb-see
Bearded Reedling Panurus b. biarmicus
BIF0225, 30/10/2013, Werbeliner See, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF226_MPU_I1Q3920_131030_beareedl_flock_d_werb-see
Bearded Reedling Panurus b. biarmicus
BIF0226, 30/10/2013, Werbeliner See, Germany, Mathias Putze

>> SOUND ID >>>>>


– overview –

– detail –
Bearded Reedling Panurus b. biarmicus, calls during migration
BIF0227, 23/10/2008, Greifswalder Oie, Germany, Patrick Franke


– overview –

– detail –
Bearded Reedling Panurus b. biarmicus, calls during migration
BIF0228, 27/09/2014, Darß, Germany, Patrick Franke
– 30 individuals
– 100m high


– overview –

– detail –
Bearded Reedling Panurus b. biarmicus, calls in flight
BIF2961, 22/07/2018, Karrendorfer Wiesen, Germany, Patrick Franke
– 8 individuals


– overview –

– detail –
Bearded Reedling Panurus b. biarmicus, AD JUV, calls in flight
BIF3032, 21/07/2018, Karrendorfer Wiesen, Germany, Patrick Franke
– calls of a family party
– note the conspicuous JUV calls (broad modulated overslur)

>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>

Long-tailed Tit

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