Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Bearded Tit
Scientific Name:
Panurus biarmicus
Also Known As:
Bearded Reedling
Length:
14-15.5cm
Wingspan (mm):
17cm
Weight:
15g Description
Bearded Tit adults have a orange brown plumage with a distinctive long, trailing tail and black and white lines down the wings. Juveniles can be almost orange-coloured with much more black on their backs. However, it is the males which attract the most interest with their blue-grey heads and ridiculous 'Zapata' moustaches.
Distribution
Mainly confined to reedbeds of East Anglia and along the south coast to Dorset. Elsewhere, a small population exists at Leighton Moss in Lancashire. Good sites include Cley, Hickling and Titchwell in Norfolk, Walberswick and Minsmere in Suffolk and Blacktoft Sands in Yorkshire. A site where where birds can be seen particularly well is Stodmarsh in Kent especially between April-June.
Habitat
Breeds and winters in large reedbeds.
Diet
They feed on isects, insect larvae and seeds.
Population
A population of around 339-600 breeding pairs live in the south-eastern counties of Britain, favouring coastal wetlands.
Did You Know?
This species is specially protected by Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). This legislation protects Bearded Tit from nest destruction, killing or injuring and also disturbance while breeding.