The bearded tit is a small bird with a long tail that is mainly found in large reedbeds where it feeds on insects and reed seeds. It builds its nest low down among the reeds, often on piles of dead reed stems. Bearded tits can be heard calling with a nasal 'ting' or 'ping' sound as they fly about the reeds.
How to identify
The bearded tit is cinnamon-brown with a long, brown tail. It has a grey head with a black 'moustache' (rather than a beard) and a yellow bill and eyes. Females are less colourful than males, and do not have the moustache.
Did you know?
The bearded tit is also known as 'bearded reedling' or 'bearded parrotbill'. In fact, it is not actually a tit or parrotbill, but has now been assigned to its own family.
