Photo by Steve G
- Prunella modularis
Identification
L. 13-14.5 cm
- Black and brown streaks on back
- Streaked brown cap
- Grey throat
- Brown eye
- Fine dark bill
Distribution
Seen in the UK all year. Found in North and Eastern Europe only in summer.
Taxonomy
Also known as Hedge Accentor (Sibley and Monroe 1996).
Subspecies[1]
There are 8 subspecies:
- P. m. hebridium:
- Ireland, Outer Hebrides, Inner Hebrides and western Scotland
- P. m. occidentalis:
- P. m. modularis:
- P. m. mabbotti:
- South-western France to Pyrénées, Iberian Peninsula and Apennine Mountains
- P. m. meinertzhageni:
- Southern Yugoslavia and Bulgaria
- P. m. fuscata:
- Mountains of Crimean Peninsula
- P. m. euxina:
- Northern Turkey to western Caucasus Mountains
- P. m. obscura:
Habitat
Hedges, woodland edges, parks and gardens. In mountains and the north occurs in pine, larch and spruce forests, and in willow, birch and alder scrub.
Behaviour
Breeding
Nest small grassy cup, lined with hair, moss, feathers, wool in hedge or bush. 2 or 3 broods.
Diet
Forages on the ground, often close to cover, picks up seeds and small insects.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Prunella modularis (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Dunnock. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 23 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Dunnock
