Reed Bunting

The Reed Bunting is a small bird about the size of a sparrow, commonly found in wetlands and areas with scrubby plants. The male during the breeding season has a striking black head and throat, with a white collar and a white stripe near the beak. Females and males in winter are brown with streaks, have pale eyebrows, and show distinctive white feathers on the outer tail when they fly. The bird often flicks its tail when sitting on reed stems or low bushes. This bird is found across Britain and Ireland, especially in reedbeds, marshes, and wet grassland. In winter, it is increasingly seen in drier farmland and young conifer forests. The Reed Bunting eats seeds and small creatures without bones, often searching for food on the ground near water. The male’s song is simple and repetitive, often described as sounding like "three blind mice" but without the last note. The song is usually sung from high, visible perches during the breeding season.