DSC9511 Dunnock... - a photo on Flickriver

            Nest Building.....

Dunnock - Prunella Modularis

aka Hedge Sparrow

The dunnock (Prunella modularis) is a small passerine, or perching bird, found throughout temperate Europe and into Asia. Dunnocks have also been successfully introduced into New Zealand. It is by far the most widespread member of the accentor family, which otherwise consists of mountain species. Other common names of the dunnock include the hedge accentor, hedge sparrow, or hedge warbler. 
Dunnocks are native to large areas of Eurasia, inhabiting much of Europe including Lebanon, northern Iran, and the Caucasus. They are the only commonly found accentor in lowland areas, all the others inhabit upland areas 
Dunnocks were successfully introduced into New Zealand during the 19th century, and are now widely distributed around the country and some offshore islands. Favourite habitats include woodlands, shrubs, gardens, and hedgerows where they typically feed on the ground often seeking out detritivores as food.
The dunnock possesses variable mating systems. Females are often polyandrous, breeding with two or more males at once, which is quite rare among birds. This multiple mating system leads to the development of sperm competition amongst the male suitors. DNA fingerprinting has shown that chicks within a brood often have different fathers, depending on the success of the males at monopolising the female.Males try to ensure their paternity by pecking at the cloaca of the female to stimulate ejection of rival males' sperm. Dunnocks take just one-tenth of a second to copulate and can mate more than 100 times a day. Males provide parental care in proportion to their mating success, so two males and a female can commonly be seen provisioning nestlings at one nest. 

Population:

UK breeding:
    2,300,000 territories

Taken on: May 30, 2020

Tags:

Dunnock

Dunnocks

Sparrow

Avian

Animal

Animals

Birds.

Bird

Bird Photography

Heathland

Hedgerows

Heathlands

Heaths

Garden Birds

Glades

Grasslands

Bushes

Brambles

Wildlife.

Wildbirds

Wetlands

Woodlands

Woodland

Wildlife Photography

Jeff Lack Photography

Trees

Parklands

Song Birds

Nature

Nature Photography

Nikon

Ornithology « less

Sets appears in: • Dunnock

Groups appears in: • Wildlife Photography • UK Nature more » • Unlimited Birds • *I Love Birds* • "Bird Brained" • ***The Wildlife Photography • A Guide To The Birds Of Europe • WelshFlickrCymru • TMI: your ART & NATURE **NO PEOPLE OR MAN-MADE OBJECTS** P1♥C1 • Wings Of The World • *Flickr Photo Award* • * Birds of Britain * • Ultimate Wildlife Photography-NO SCENICS OR BOTANY PICS PLEASE • **Simply Superb (P 1- A 2)** • All birds all the time • Wales Online Photography Flickr Group • Wildlife UK • Avian Photography • Wales Birders • BBC Springwatch (Official) • Wildlife of the British Isles • World of Birds • UK - Wildlife & Nature • Amazing Birds ***No Rules, No Banning, No Sweepers*** • !* The Beauty of Nature/ NO people! NO single buildings! P1/C2 • ! * Fantastic Nature Group *Moderated* » Post 1 and Award 1 « • AWESOME BIRDS ! (Award 2 Please) • 4 Birds only • Uk birdwatchers • :: | Bird Photography |:: • Wild Bird Photography • Welsh Wildlife Group • BBC Wildlife aspirations • *Feathers & Beaks* P1 - A3 • Audubon magazine • arbor square ~ A Nature Group ~ P1/C2 • Avian Wonders • World of Wildlife • UK wild life watching • "Watch The Birdie" P2 C2***Only birds*** NO OTHER IMAGES • AVES DEL MUNDO -- BIRDS OF THE WORLD -- OISEAUX DU MONDE • Our Wonderful and Fragile World - P1 - A4 • NATURE'S SPIRIT (by invitation) (post 1/award 1) • Wildlife and Landscape Photography • Treasures of the World • * Wonderful World of Wildlife * • Wildlife Sightings UK • The Wonderful Wildlife UK • "Birds Flock Together" (one bird a day ♥ only birds) • Amateur Photographer Magazine • Worldwide Fauna • The World of Birds • Aardvark To Zyzzyva • *Birds Photography* • All Birds UK « less

Stats: 5,965 views / 112 comments