Dunnocks (Hedge Sparrows)

Similar in size to the House Sparrow and the Robin at around 130-140mm (c. 5.5in), the Dunnock has a wingspan of around 200mm (c. 8in) and weighs in at around 25g (c. 1oz). The plumage is unspectacular, with a blue-gray head fading to brown on the breast, and streaked brown/black wings, flanks and tail. The beak is slender and designed for eating insects rather then seeds.

Dunnocks are found in urban and rural settings across Europe and Asia, favouring deciduous woodland and hedgerows. Inhabitants of the more northerly areas will migrate south to ensure a continuous supply of insects but the species is largely static. There alre also isolated colonies in New Zealand, having been introduced there by European travellers in the 19th century.

The Dunnock feeds primarily on insects and spiders that it finds by foraging among rocks and leaf litter. They will ocassionally eat seeds and fruit and can sometimes be drawn ro bird feeders with bread and mealworms.

The nest is built from twigs, grass and moss in April/May and 4-6 light blue eggs are produced in each clutch.

Female Dunnocks are polyandrous in their mating habits (a female will mate with more than one male) and there is scientific evidence that the individual chicks within a clutch often have different biological fathers. Because of this, it is not uncommon to see three adults carrying out the feeding duties.

Incubation and fledging normally take around two weeks each and the female often produces two or three clutches in a season.

Dunnocks are also one of the species targetted as a host bird by cuckoos.