Description
At first glance the Dunnock (Hedge Sparrow or Hedge Accentor) looks like a dull
sleek sparrow. They are the only Accentor to live in lowland areas, all other
live in upland and mountainous regions. On closer inspection it is quite
attractive with its blue-grey head and breast, light and dark brown streaky
back, brown streaked flanks ,and pink legs. The black bill is finer than that of
a sparrow, because it feeds mainly on insects and not seed. The sexes are very
alike, though the female is a little drabber. Juveniles lack the grey on head
and chest, instead they have brown streaks. The Dunnock seems nervous and
agitated, constantly flicking its tail and wings.
Voice
The Dunnock's song is a pleasant surprise also, an unhurried sweet warble which
can be confused with part of the Wren's song.
Feeding
The Dunnock is predominantly a ground feeder and feeds on insects, such as
beetles and ants, and spiders, which it gleans from leaf litter, among plant
roots, etc. In the autumn and winter they will eat seeds and berries.
Occasionally, especially in the winter months, Dunnock's have taken small seeds,
such as peanut granules, and suet off or around the ground feeder table.
The Robin and Dunnock have similar diets. Consequently, in the winter when food
is in short supply and Robins are defending their feeding territories, the Robin
often chases the Dunnock away.
Breeding
The nest is built by the female in dense shrubs and hedges. The cup-shaped nest
is lined with moss and hair, and built from twigs and moss. Dunnock nests are
often parasitized by Cuckoos. The female lays and incubates bright blue, smooth
and glossy eggs that are about 19 mm by 14 mm. Both adults feed the
newly-hatched young, but are often assisted by other male birds.
The Dunnock's sex life is remarkable; few are monogamous and most are either
polyandrous (females have more than one male mate) or polygynous (males have
more than one female mate).
| Breeding Starts |
Number of Clutches |
Number of Eggs |
Incubation (days) |
Fledge (days) |
| April |
2-3 |
4-6 |
12-13 |
11-12 |
Comments
The Dunnock is on the Amber List of birds of medium conservation concern because
after a serious decline in numbers during the 1980's, indications are that the
population is recovering, but may be struggling in its "natural habitat" owing
to changes in woodland management practices.
Reproduced with kind permission of
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