Passeriformes / Paradoxornithidae / Paradoxornis
Reed Parrotbill
Paradoxornis heudei · 震旦鸦雀
Introduction
A species in the family Paradoxornithidae found in Manchuria, eastern China, and the Russian Far East. It inhabits reedbeds and is unique among parrotbills for changing its plumage between breeding and non-breeding seasons. The species is classified as Near Threatened due to habitat loss.
Description
Possesses a significantly short, wide, and deep bill. Plumage changes seasonally. In winter (non-breeding), the forehead and neck are pinkish-cream and ash-gray, with black and warm brown streaks from above the eyes to the head tip. A white-tinted stripe runs from the beak base above the eye to the rear of the head. Body streaks include black and brown, becoming blacker further down. In summer (breeding), the head to upper middle back is bluish-gray, with lower feathers dark chestnut. Ears are slightly paler, and sides are lighter chestnut than in winter.
Distribution & Habitat
Native to East Asia, specifically Manchuria, eastern China, and the Russian Far East. The northern subspecies P. h. polivanovi is sometimes regarded as a separate species. Habitat consists of reedbeds, which are wet areas of reed plants between water and land.
Behavior & Ecology
Feeds on insects, including Alceridae, by cutting through reed stems with its bill, often making loud noises. Lacks a gizzard muscle, making digestion of hard food items difficult. Occasionally multi-brooded, raising up to three broods per season: mid-May to mid-July, mid-July to mid-August, and mid-August to mid-September. Typically found in pairs during breeding season and builds thick nests.
Conservation
Classified as Near Threatened. The population trend is decreasing fast with a continuing decline of mature individuals. Major threats include degradation of reedbeds, clearance of habitat, and over-harvesting of reeds, particularly due to re-development in China.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Paradoxornithidae
- Genus
- Paradoxornis
Taxonomy Changes
Paradoxornis polivanovi → Paradoxornis heudei
Subspecies lump — GBIF Backbone Taxonomy uses the former name; AviList 2025 uses the current name.
Subspecies (2)
-
Paradoxornis heudei heudei
eastern China (southeastern Shandong southward to Jiangsu and inland to northern Jiangxi)
Data Sources
CBR Notes: 由Calamornis属移入Paradoxornis属（Cai et al. 2019）
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
