Hedge Accentor

NL: Heggemus
D: Heckenbraunelle
F: Accenteur mouchet

Latin name: Prunella modularis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Bird group: Heggenmussen (Prunellidae)

At first glance the Dunnock, also known as Hedge Sparrow or Hedge Accentor, looks like a dull sleek sparrow.

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.
They are the only Accentor to live in lowland areas, all others live in upland and mountainous regions.

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, Dunnocks 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.

Song/call: