General Description: The Dunnock, scientifically known as Prunella modularis, is a small perching bird, comparable in size to a robin. It measures between 13.5 to 14 cm in length. The bird's back is streaked, giving it a resemblance to a small house sparrow. Its underparts are brownish, and it has a fine pointed bill. Both sexes share a similar colouration, with adults having a grey head. The bird's drab appearance may have evolved as a means to avoid predation. Identification Tips: One distinguishing behaviour of the Dunnock is its frequent wing flicking, particularly during territorial disputes or when competing for mating rights. This behaviour has earned it the nickname "shufflewing". Its main call is a shrill, persistent 'tseep' along with a high trilling note. Its song is rapid, thin, and tinkling, a sweet warble that can be confused with that of the Eurasian wren, but is shorter and weaker. Habitat: Dunnocks are native to large areas of Eurasia, including much of Europe, Lebanon, northern Iran, and the Caucasus. They are the only commonly found accentor in lowland areas. They have also been successfully introduced into New Zealand. Their favoured habitats include woodlands, shrubs, gardens, and hedgerows where they typically feed on the ground, often seeking out detritivores as food. Distribution: Dunnocks are found throughout temperate Europe and into Asian Russia. They have also been successfully introduced into New Zealand, where they are now widely distributed around the country and some offshore islands. Behaviour: Dunnocks are territorial and may engage in conflict with other birds that encroach upon their nests. Males sometimes share a territory and exhibit a strict dominance hierarchy. However, this social dominance does not necessarily translate into reproductive benefits for the alpha male, as paternity is usually equally shared between males of the group. Song & Calls: The main call of the Dunnock is a shrill, persistent 'tseep' along with a high trilling note. The song is rapid, thin, and tinkling, a sweet warble which can be confused with that of the Eurasian wren, but is shorter and weaker. Breeding: The Dunnock possesses variable mating systems. Females are often polyandrous, breeding with two or more males at once. 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. Similar Species: The Dunnock is often mistaken for a small house sparrow due to its streaked back. However, its frequent wing flicking behaviour and its unique song distinguish it from other similar species. Diet and Feeding: Dunnocks typically feed on the ground, often seeking out detritivores as food. They are also known to feed in shrubs and low vegetation. Conservation Status: The Dunnock is listed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.