DSC3117 Dunnock.. - a photo on Flickriver

DSC3117 Dunnock..

            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: January 26, 2022

Tags:

Dunnock

Sparrow

Hedgerows

Hedges

Avian

Animal

Animals

Birds.

Bird

Bird Photography

Countryside

Copse

Farmland

Forest

Forestry

Forests

Fields

Bushes

Brambles

Bracken

Garden Birds

Glades

Grasslands

Gorse

Heathland

Heathlands

Heaths

Moorland

Meadows

Nature

Nature Photography

Nikon

Ornithology

Jeff Lack Photography

Song Birds

Wildlife.

Wildbirds

Wetlands

Wildlife Photography

Woodlands

w « less

Sets appears in: • Dunnock

Groups appears in: • Wildlife Photography • UK Nature more » • NATUREPIX • UK Wildlife Trusts • Nature Watch UK • WelshFlickrCymru • TMI: your ART & NATURE **NO PEOPLE OR MAN-MADE OBJECTS** P1♥C1 • Wings Of The World • The European Nature And Wildlife Group • NATURE'S BEST • Beautiful Birds • WOODLAND Trust • BBC Wales Nature & Landscapes • Wales Online Photography Flickr Group • Official National Geographic Group • Nikon Nature Photography • Wildlife UK • NatureLovers • NATURE'S - CREATIONS • National Geographic Wild Life • National Geographic | World Wide • Wales Birders • National Wildlife Magazine Photo Group • #4 PLATINUM WILDLIFE/ Post 1 - Award 1 (P2-A2) with CODE • the RSPB • BBC Springwatch (Official) • Photographing Birds • Wildlife of the British Isles • Nikon - Nature • !Your Best Animal Photo ~~Award 2 • National Trust Wildlife • Natural Britain • RSPB Love Nature • World of Birds • *Specialist Nature & Wildlife Photographers* (P1 - A2) • I Am Crazy About Your Photo! Award 3 • UK - Wildlife & Nature • Nature- The Best of Flickr. • Nature's wildlife animals and birds • Outstanding Bird Photography - P1 - A3 (Admin Invite Only) • Nikon WILDLIFE & NATURE • Uk birdwatchers • #3 PALLADIUM WILDLIFE/ Post 1 - Award 5 (P2-A10) with CODE • Wild Bird Photography • Welsh Wildlife Group • Best Bird Photographers • Spectacular Wild Bird Photos • *Feathers & Beaks* P1 - A3 • The Best Wildlife Photography on Planet Earth. • #2 18K Gold wildlife/ Post 1 - Award 3 (P2-A6) with CODE • Avian Wonders • World of Wildlife • UK wild life watching • N-Photo Mag • Nikon Nature • RSPB Cymru Photo Group • Nature of the British Isles • Our Wonderful and Fragile World - P1 - A4 • Wildlife and Landscape Photography • Treasures of the World • Wildlife Sightings UK • Nature's Elite/PLEASE ONLY NATURE PHOTOS • The Wonderful Wildlife UK • This is Nature • Worldwide Fauna • The World of Birds • Nature and Animals (Wild Only) • Taken in Wales • Stunning wildlife • Nature watch photography. • Worldwide Birds (opted out 30/60). • Nikon Wildlife, Flowers and the Beauty of Nature • The Best of British Birds and Wildlife • WildPlanet • Specialists' Choice Nature & Wildlife (P1 - A2) • South Wales Wildlife Photography • The Specialists' Hall of Fame « less

Stats: 4,976 views / 149 comments