Dunnock

Prunella modularis

The European population, of this bird, has been evaluated as secure.

Sometimes known as the Hedge sparrow owing to its similarity to the House Sparrow. At first sight the Dunnock looks uniformly brown, but on closer inspection it has streaked upperparts and a grey head. Males and females are very similar, but juveniles are browner and more striped than the adults. Although similar to a House Sparrow, ID is easy as the Dunnock has a very thin bill and orange legs.

Size: 14cm

Weight: 16-25g

Habitat: Gardens, woodlands, hedgerows and scrubland

Nesting: The female dunnock builds the nest of twigs and moss, lined with moss and hair, low-down in thick hedges and shrubs.

Eggs: 4-6 blue eggs

Food: Insects, Sunflower Hearts, Ground Blend, Nyjer Seed, Kibbled Peanuts

Call: High warbling song similar to the Wren; a loud, shrill 'tseep' call

Characteristics: This small brown and grey bird is often seen on its own, creeping along the edge of a flower bed or near to a bush, moving with a rather nervous, shuffling gait, often flicking its wings as it goes. When two rival males come together they become animated with lots of wing-flicking and loud calling.