John Cantelo
Well-known member
It seems that the humble Dunnock may not be one not one species but three. In a paper worthy of Trinitarian theologians, scientists have concluded that differences in the DNA are mirrored by "robust differences" in plumage and song between the Iberian, Caucasian and nominate races of Dunnock. There also seem to be other behavioral & habitat differences. This, they conclude, supports splitting the species into three; the nominate form found across most of Europe, the Iberian Dunnock P. mabbotti, and the Caucasian Dunnock P. obscura under the Phylogenetic, Biological and Comprehensive Biological Species Concepts. Looking at the photos in the article I confess I find the plumage difference very slight rather than 'robust' and evidently so do did Shirihai & Svesson who lumped mabbotti in their recent handbook. I've yet to listen to the songs but will anon via Xeno-canto. Elevation of two subspecies of Dunnock Prunella modularis to species rank
