Siberian Accentor

The Siberian accentor, Prunella montanella, is a diminutive passerine, a mere 14.5 centimeters in length, with a modest weight of 17.5 grams. Its plumage is a study in earthy tones, with brown upperparts and wings, adorned with bright chestnut streaking on its back. A greyish-brown rump and tail complement the ensemble. The head is crowned with dark brown, and a striking pale yellow supercilium stretches above the eye, resembling an elongated eyebrow. The underparts are a warm ochre yellow, transitioning to buff on the flanks and greyish on the lower belly. The bird's eyes are a warm red-brown, its bill sharply pointed and dark, and its legs a reddish hue.

Identification Tips

Distinguishing the Siberian accentor from its relatives can be a subtle art. The rustier back, yellow supercilium, and absence of a white line below the black face mask set it apart from the similar black-throated accentor. Juveniles may show more wear on their tail feathers and tertials, and often possess a duller iris than adults.

Habitat

During the breeding season, the Siberian accentor favors the subarctic willow and birch forests, as well as open coniferous woodlands often found near rivers or bogs. It is also known to inhabit mountains and spruce taiga. In winter, it can be found in shrubs and bushes, often near streams, but also in dry grasslands and woods.

Distribution

This species breeds across northern Russia, from the Ural Mountains to the Pacific coast, and migrates to winter in east China and Korea. Vagrants have been recorded as far as western Europe and northwestern North America.

Behaviour

The Siberian accentor is a rather secretive bird, adept at vanishing into its surroundings. It has a remarkable ability to maintain body temperature in cold conditions, an adaptation to its often frigid habitat.

Song & Calls

The call is a trisyllabic ti-ti-ti, while the male's song is a loud, high chirichiriri, reminiscent of the Japanese accentor, the dunnock, or the black-throated accentor. The song is most vigorous early in the season, particularly at dawn.

Breeding

The nest is an open cup, placed in dense shrubbery or a tree fork, where the female lays four to six glossy deep blue-green eggs. Incubation lasts about ten days, with both parents feeding the downy brown-black chicks. Breeding success may vary with location and weather conditions.

Similar Species

The black-throated accentor is the most likely species to be confused with the Siberian accentor, particularly first-autumn birds with a less conspicuous dark throat.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists mainly of insects, which are picked off the ground or taken from vegetation. In winter, seeds may supplement the diet, and the birds may feed near human habitation.

Conservation status

With a large and stable population across a vast breeding range, the Siberian accentor is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, as a species breeding in northern regions, it may face long-term challenges due to climate change.