Reed bunting 12 Dec 2023

Brown, sleek, sharp and always dressed to impress—say hello to the reed bunting! With their jet-black heads, white collars and dapper "moustache," males cut quite the figure. Despite their name, reed buntings can also be found on farmland and in wetlands across Europe. Their melodious tunes aren"t just for show—they"re part of an elaborate courtship display. Monogamy with biparental care is the main mating system for the species. While these birds may seem common and they are listed as "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, their population is shown to be declining. Next time you"re out birdwatching, keep an eye—and ear—out for them.

© Chris Howes/Wild Places Photography/Alamy Stock Photo

palette

Today in History

Christmas flowers
12 Dec 2024Poinsettia or Christmas flower
12 Dec 2025National Poinsettia Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

1 Feb 2026Colourful house in Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil
29 Apr 2024Fujian Tulou, China
A blue-tiful island
10 Aug 2025World Lion Day
7 Jul 2025Northern gannets, Shetland Islands, Scotland
20 Feb 2025Red deer, Canada
23 Feb 2026Great white egret, Upper Bavaria, Germany
Lighting the way
12 Apr 2024Arches National Park, Utah, USA
1 Apr 2026Peggys Point Lighthouse, Atlantic Coast, Nova Scotia, Canada
Patchwork of peace
Happy Mothers Day!
4 May 2025Star Wars Day
17 Mar 2025Happy St Patricks Day!
5 Feb 2024Northern hawk-owl
10 Aug 2024Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA
24 Oct 2023Füzér Castle in the Zemplén Mountains, Hungary
Park of the Monsters
10 Apr 2024Apple trees in spring, Germany
Tree-mendous
10 Apr 2025Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Wales
24 Oct 2025Night view of the RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach, California, United States
22 Dec 2024Christmas tree at Crystal Pier, San Diego, California, United States
Home of racing legends
Race to the finish
25 Nov 2025Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
The Riviera of India
When only a hug will do
How sweet to be a star, floating in the blue.
Chilling out on an ice floe