Dunnock

Prunella modularis

Genus · Accentors Family · Accentors
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Bird feederBushesForest undergrowth

Look for a grey-faced sparrow-like bird in the shadows of a hedge. Watch for the frequent wing-flicking behavior.

Dunnock
Stats
Wingspan19–21 cm
Weight16–25 g
Length13–15 cm
Lifespan wild2–9 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCup
Clutch size3–6 eggs
Incubation12–14 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationPartial migratory
Social BehaviourSolitary

Diet: Omnivore

🫐Berries
🦗Insects
🌻Seeds
🕷️Spiders
🪱Worms

Habitat

🚜 Farmland🌲 Forest coniferous🌳 Forest deciduous🏡 Garden🏙️ Urban
✦ Fun Fact

Despite hiding their nests well, Dunnocks are regular hosts of the Common Cuckoo, which secretly lays an egg for them to incubate.

About

Dunnock is a quiet bird of gardens and hedgerows. It has a streaky brown back and a lead-grey head. It is a common resident across Europe. It is often seen creeping along the ground like a small mouse.

Behaviour

Dunnocks have a complex social life involving multiple mating partners. Their song is a fast, high-pitched warble without trills. They are primarily insectivores but eat small seeds in winter. They frequently flick their wings during the breeding season.

Similar species

House Sparrow
🐦
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
European Robin
🐦
European Robin
Erithacus rubecula
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