The Bearded Reedling is a medium-sized bird characterized by soft, silky gray-brown plumage and a distinctive tuft on its head. Adults have yellow and red spots on their wings and a tail with a bright yellow edge. It feeds mainly on berries, but may supplement its diet with insects during the breeding season. Its song is a sweet, melodic trill. It is a migratory species that travels in large flocks in search of food. It prefers wooded habitats and areas with abundant orchards. It nests in July, building nests in trees and bushes.