Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicus
The bearded reedling 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 bearded parrotbill, as it historically was believed to be closely related to tits or parrotbills.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearded_reedling
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Panuridae
Genus
Panurus
Bearded Tit belongs to the family Panuridae, order Passeriformes, within the Aves class.
Species Profile
The bearded reedling 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 bearded parrotbill, as it historically was believed to be closely related to tits or parrotbills. Today it is known to lack close relatives and it is the only species in the family Panuridae.
The Bearded Tit faces significant threats from habitat loss and degradation of its specialized reed bed environments, which are increasingly fragmented and destroyed by drainage, development, and agricultural conversion. Climate change poses additional risks through altered water levels and extreme weather events that can devastate breeding colonies, while the species' highly specialized habitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Extensive reed beds dominated by Phragmites australis in freshwater and brackish wetlands, including marshes, lake margins, and coastal lagoons. The species requires large, continuous stands of mature reeds with appropriate water levels for both nesting and foraging.
Threats
Climate change impacts on water levels
Reed bed habitat loss and fragmentation
Wetland drainage and conversion
Agricultural intensification near wetlands
Extreme weather events affecting breeding success
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmicus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/bearded-tit