The dunnock (Prunella modularis) is a small passerine bird found in temperate Europe and parts of Asian Russia, with successful introductions in New Zealand. It is the most widespread member of the accentor family, which typically inhabits mountain areas. Other names for the dunnock include hedge accentor and hedge sparrow.
Measuring 13 to 14.5 cm (5.1 to 5.7 in) in length, the dunnock has a brown, streaked back and a brownish underside. Its drab appearance may serve as camouflage. Both sexes have dull grey heads, while juveniles are browner and fluffier. Unique among small brown birds in Europe, dunnocks often exhibit wing flicking during territorial disputes, earning the nickname “shufflewing.”
The dunnock’s main call is a shrill “tseep,” and its song is a rapid, tinkling warble. Native to large areas of Eurasia, dunnocks prefer habitats like woodlands, shrubs, and gardens, where they forage for insects and detritivores.
Dunnocks exhibit variable mating systems, with females often mating with multiple males, leading to sperm competition. DNA analysis shows that chicks in a brood can have different fathers. Males may peck at the female’s cloaca to promote the ejection of rival sperm and can mate more than 100 times a day. Parental care is provided by males in proportion to their mating success, allowing two males and a female to commonly forage together for nestlings.
