Reed Bunting Bird Facts (Emberiza schoeniclus)

The Reed Bunting is a small, sparrow-sized bird with distinctive markings. Males in breeding plumage have a black head and throat, white collar, and moustache stripe. Their back is streaked brown, with white outer tail feathers.

Females and non-breeding males are more subtly coloured, with a brown-streaked head and pale supercilium. Both sexes have pinkish-brown legs and a grey, conical bill.

Juveniles are similar to adult females but with chestnut crowns, yellow and buff underparts, and heavier streaking overall.

The Reed Bunting is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Reed Bunting is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Reed Bunting can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Reed Bunting is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Reed Bunting is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Reed Bunting can be found in Farmland habitats.

The Reed Bunting is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Reed Bunting is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Reed Bunting is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Reed Bunting is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Reed Bunting is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Reed Bunting is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Reed Buntings inhabit wetlands, reedbeds, and damp areas across Europe and Asia. They are particularly common in marshes, wet meadows, and along the edges of lakes and rivers.

In the UK, they are widespread breeding residents, with numbers boosted by winter migrants from northern Europe. During colder months, they may move to drier habitats, including farmland and coastal areas.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Reed Bunting. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Afghanistan Cyprus Iraq Jordan Kuwait Malta Syria

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Bahrain Gibraltar Hong Kong Iceland Nepal Oman Saudi Arabia Taiwan United Arab Emirates United States of America

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Reed Bunting displays considerable agility, as evidenced by its ability to navigate through dense reedbeds and vegetation. Its undulating flight pattern and capacity to perch atop slender reeds suggest good manoeuvrability. The bird's aptitude for foraging low in vegetation and hopping along the ground also indicates a fair degree of nimbleness.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small, sparrow-sized bird weighing between 15-23 grams, the Reed Bunting possesses limited strength relative to larger avian species. However, it demonstrates sufficient strength for its size to perform necessary tasks such as nest-building and defending territories.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Reed Buntings show remarkable adaptability. They can thrive in various wetland habitats, adjust their diet seasonally between seeds and insects, and have even adapted to nesting in crops like oilseed rape in some areas. Their ability to shift to drier habitats during winter months further demonstrates their adaptable nature.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While not overtly aggressive, male Reed Buntings display territorial behaviour during breeding season, engaging in aerial displays and defending their territories. The potential for multiple female partners suggests some level of competitive behaviour. However, they are not known for exceptional aggression compared to other bird species.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Reed Buntings exhibit moderate endurance. As partial migrants, some populations undertake seasonal movements, indicating a degree of stamina. Their ability to survive in various climates, from temperate to subarctic, suggests resilience. However, their relatively small size and short lifespan (3-5 years) limit their overall endurance rating.

Reed Buntings primarily feed on seeds, especially those of sedges and grasses. During the breeding season, they supplement their diet with insects and spiders, which are crucial for feeding their young. In winter, they may visit bird feeders in gardens near their preferred habitats.

Invertebrates commonly foraged include spiders, caterpillars, beetles, larvae, dragonflies, mayflies, ticks and crustaceans. The most popular seeds are birch, spruce, alder and nettle.

Foraging takes place on the ground and in low vegetation.

Reed Buntings are often seen perched atop reeds or bushes, singing or surveying their territory. They forage low in vegetation, hopping along the ground to search for seeds and insects.

During the breeding season, males become territorial and engage in aerial displays to attract mates.

The male Reed Bunting's song is a simple, repetitive series of squeaky notes, often described as "zhi-zhi-zhi-zher-zher". Their call is a sharp "tseeu" or a softer "tsi". During courtship, males may produce a more complex and varied song to attract females.

Breeding season for Reed Buntings typically begins in April. Males establish territories and attract females with song flights and displays.

Females construct cup-shaped nests low in vegetation, often near the ground in reeds or tussocks. They lay 4-5 eggs, which are pale blue-grey with dark markings.

Incubation lasts about 13 days, and the female is primarily responsible for it. Both parents feed the chicks, who fledge after 10-13 days but remain dependent on the adults for another two weeks.

The Reed Bunting typically lives for 3 to 5 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 12.2 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While listed as Least Concern globally, Reed Bunting populations have declined in some areas due to habitat loss and agricultural intensification.

Conservation efforts focus on preserving wetlands and promoting wildlife-friendly farming practices to maintain suitable breeding habitats.

Look for Reed Buntings near wetlands, reedbeds, and damp meadows
Listen for the male's simple, repetitive song, often delivered from a prominent perch
Observe their distinctive undulating flight pattern
In the UK, check farmland hedgerows during the winter months

Reed Buntings are preyed upon by various raptors, including Sparrowhawks and Merlins, as well as mammals such as stoats and weasels.

Reed Buntings can swim short distances if necessary to escape predators.
In some areas, they have adapted to nest in crops like oilseed rape.
Male Reed Buntings may have multiple female partners in a single breeding season.

Already have an account?

0/500 characters (minimum 20 required)

Visual Identification

Appearance

Size

Colours

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Distribution

Elevation Range

Climate zones

Distribution Map

Distribution by Region

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Bird Attributes Explained

Attribute Categories:

Understanding the Ratings:

Agility

Strength

Adaptability

Aggressiveness

Endurance

Diet

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Nesting & Breeding

Lifespan

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Population Data

Rarity Index

Birdwatching Tips

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Family:

Predators

Did You Know?

Was this bird profile helpful?

Community Experience

Community Ratings

Latest Community Reviews

No reviews yet

Community Reviews

Create Your Free Account Welcome Back!

Rate Reed Bunting

Similar Birds

Yellowhammer

Lapland Longspur

References