Dunnock (Prunella modularis)

What do dunnocks look like?

When seen at a distance, dunnocks appear a drab brown. Get a closer view and you will notice a grey breast and head and dark streaks on the wings. They are roughly the same size as a robin.

Not to be confused with: the house sparrow. These birds can look similar from a distance, but the easiest way to tell them apart is the beak. A dunnock’s bill is thin and pointy, while a sparrow’s is much broader and powerful looking. Sparrows also live in flocks, while dunnocks are rarely seen in more than pairs.

How do dunnocks breed?

The dunnock’s breeding behaviour is somewhat different to many other birds. Unlike most species, the female will often mate with several males and chicks within the same brood may have different fathers. Sometimes, two males will effectively ‘share’ females by working together to defend a territory against rivals. Mating with both males is advantageous for the female, as both will then help to raise her chicks.

Dunnocks nest in dense vegetation, building a nest out of twigs and moss. Four to five eggs are normally laid from late April to June. The chicks will hatch after around two weeks and fledge two weeks later.

It is not just their own young that dunnocks will raise, however. The species is a favoured host for the cuckoo, which often lays its eggs in the smaller bird’s nest. Once hatched, the cuckoo chick will push any dunnock eggs and chicks out of the nest, ensuring it receives the full attention of its surrogate parents, who will continue to feed it as if it were their own offspring.

Signs and spotting tips

Dunnocks are commonly seen in and around hedgerows. Look out for the species hopping along the ground as it searches for insects. They are also commonly seen in gardens. Dunnocks rarely visit bird feeders, but will take food scattered on the ground or on bird tables. The species’ main call is a persistent, high-pitched 'tseep' sound.

Audio: David M / xeno-canto.org