The dunnock is a small passerine, or perching bird, found throughout temperate Europe and into Asian Russia. Dunnocks have also been successfully introduced into New Zealand. It is the most widespread member of the accentor family; most other accentors are limited to mountain habitats. Other, largely archaic, English names for the dunnock include hedge accentor, hedge sparrow, hedge warbler, and titling.
Region
Europe and western Asia
Typical Environment
Dunnocks are widespread across temperate Europe, extending into western and central Asia, and have been introduced to New Zealand. They favor dense undergrowth, hedgerows, garden shrubs, woodland edges, parks, and scrubby habitats where they can forage close to cover. They typically avoid open, treeless landscapes and deep forest interiors, preferring patchy vegetation with leaf litter. In introduced range, they occupy similar suburban and rural habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The dunnock, or hedge accentor, is the most widespread member of the accentor family (Prunellidae), thriving in hedgerows, gardens, and woodland edges. Despite the nickname 'hedge sparrow', it is not a true sparrow and has a fine, slender bill suited to picking small invertebrates. Dunnocks have an unusually flexible mating system that can include monogamy, polyandry, and polygynandry. They were introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century, where they have established stable populations.
P. m. obscura, with its browner head at all ages, is the most distinct subspecies; here at Giresun, northeastern Turkey.
Juvenile, showing the browner, fluffy plumage. Hampshire, UK.
Male dunnock pecking cloaca of female before mating
on branch with hoar frost
Dunnock nest and eggs
Egg of Cuculus canorus canorus in a spawn of Prunella modularis - MHNT
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often seen singly or in loose pairs, keeping close to dense cover and moving with quick, mouse-like hops. Breeding systems range from monogamy to polyandry and polygynandry, with shared or competing parental care. Nests are built low in dense shrubs; clutches are usually 3–5 eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
A thin, fast, tinkling warble delivered from a low perch or within a hedge, often short but repeated frequently. Calls are high, sharp 'tseep' notes used to maintain contact and signal alarm.
