Reed Bunting
EN

Reed Bunting

Emberiza schoeniclus

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_reed_bunting

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Reed Bunting populations have declined dramatically across Europe due to intensive agricultural practices that have eliminated traditional wet meadows and reed beds. Drainage of wetlands for agriculture and urban development has destroyed critical breeding habitat, while increased use of pesticides has reduced insect prey availability during the crucial nestling period. Climate change is altering precipitation patterns, affecting the water levels essential for maintaining suitable reed bed ecosystems.

Threat summary

Habitat

Reed Buntings inhabit wetland margins, reed beds, marshy areas, and damp grasslands with scattered bushes or tall vegetation for nesting. They also utilize agricultural areas with ditches, wet meadows, and scrubland adjacent to water sources.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Emberizidae

YellowhammerVU

Yellowhammer

Emberiza citrinella

Unknown
Little BuntingVU

Little Bunting

Emberiza pusilla

Unknown
Ortolan BuntingCR

Ortolan Bunting

Emberiza hortulana

Unknown
Rustic BuntingVU

Rustic Bunting

Emberiza rustica

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Reed Bunting classified as Endangered?
Reed Bunting is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Reed Bunting populations have declined dramatically across Europe due to intensive agricultural practices that have eliminated traditional wet meadows and reed beds. Drainage of wetlands for agriculture and urban development has destroyed critical breeding habitat, while increased use of pesticides has reduced insect prey availability during the crucial nestling period. Climate change is altering precipitation patterns, affecting the water levels essential for maintaining suitable reed bed ecosystems.
Where does Reed Bunting live?
Reed Bunting occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Reed Bunting?
The main threats to Reed Bunting are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.