Hedge sparrows

(Prunellidae)

Class Aves

Order Passeriformes

Suborder Passeri (Oscines)

Family Prunellidae

Thumbnail description
Sparrow-like birds, but with a relatively slender and pointed beak; the legs and feet are sturdy, the tail short, and the coloration a drab gray or brown patterned with streaks of white, black, and dull-red

Size
Body length of 5–7 in (13–18 cm) and weight 0.5–1.4 oz (18–40 g)

Number of genera, species
1 genus; 12 species

Habitat
Most species live in shrubby places or meadows in alpine habitats. One species occurs in open woodland and cultivated lands at lower altitude

Conservation status
Near Threatened: 1 species

Distribution
Occur widely in Eurasia and in the northern edge of Africa

Evolution and systematics

Hedge sparrows or accentors are a small group of rather similar-looking birds, all of which are placed in the genus Prunella. All of these species may have evolved from a single, alpine-dwelling progenitor. Recent studies of the phylogeny of the Passeriformes suggest that the accentors are most closely related to the wagtails and pipits (family Motacillidae), sunbirds (Nectariniidae), and finches (Fringillidae).

Physical characteristics

Accentors are small, plainly colored birds. They are similar to sparrows in general appearance, but their beak is much more slender and pointed. Their legs and feet are sturdy, and the wing has 10 functional primary feathers, which may be rounded or pointed at their tips. The tail is relatively short and squared at the end. The plumage is rather drab, being colored in inconspicuous patterns of brownish and grayish, with spots and streaks of white, black, and dull red. Males and females are similar in appearance, but males have somewhat longer wings, are heavier, and are slightly brighter in coloration.

Distribution

Accentors are widely distributed over the Palearctic region, including much of Europe, Asia north of the Himalayan mountains, and Africa north of the Sahara desert.

Habitat

Primarily occur in the thick undergrowth of shrubby habitats and alpine meadows.

Behavior

Accentors are relatively quiet, unobtrusive birds. They are somewhat gregarious during the non-breeding season. They spend most of their time on or close to the ground, where they move about by running and hopping, often with small flicks of the wings and tail. Their flight is rapid and often undulating. They have high-pitched call notes, and a warbling song that is often given in flight.

Feeding ecology and diet

Accentors forage for invertebrates on the ground, especially beetles, flies, aphids, ants, spiders, and worms. During the winter, they mostly eat seeds and berries.

Reproductive biology

Accentors construct an open, cup-shaped nest of plant fibers, mosses, and feathers. The nest is built in a hollow in the ground, in a crevice among rocks, or in low scrub as high as about 6 ft (2 m) above the ground. The breeding season lasts from late March to August, but this varies among species and latitude. Accentors lay a clutch of three to six

eggs, which are uniformly colored light bluish green to blue. Typically, two broods are raised each year. The incubation period is 11–15 days, and the nestlings are raised for another 12–14 days until they fledge. Both partners share in the care of the young.

The breeding territories established vary among species of accentors. Solitary males, male-female pairs, and trios of a female and two males have been observed to defend a territory. The presence of more than one male in a breeding group, a breeding relationship known as polyandry, is somewhat unusual among passerines. There may, however, be some advantage to having several males participate in feeding and defense of the young, particularly in a predator-rich environment. Typically, the territory occupied by a polyandrous breeding group is larger than that of a male-female pair.

Conservation status

The IUCN lists the Yemen accentor (Prunella fagani) as Near Threatened. Its range and abundance have declined precipitously because of degradation of its shrubland habitat by grazing animals and other damages caused by human activities. Populations of some other species have also declined significantly, but not to the point of being considered at risk. The population of dunnocks (Prunella modularis) breeding in Britain declined during the 1980s, but has since maintained itself.

Significance to humans

Accentors are not of direct importance to humans, other than the indirect economic benefits of ecotourism focused on seeing birds in natural habitats. In 2001, ticks living on dunnocks and other migratory birds were implicated in the spread of a bacterial pathogen, Ehrlichia phagocytophila, the causative agent of the rare disease ehrlichiosis in humans.

Species accounts

List of Species

Dunnock

Prunella modularis

taxonomy

Prunella modularis Linnaeus, 1758.

other common names

English: Hedge-sparrow, hedge accentor; French: Accenteur mouchet; German: Heckenbrounelle; Spanish: Acentor Común.

physical characteristics

6 in (15 cm); 0.7 oz (19 g). The beak is pointed and slender, and the feet and legs are sturdy. Upperparts are brownish gray and usually streaked with black and lighter colors; underparts are more uniformly gray with a few apricot markings.

distribution

The dunnock occurs in suitable habitat throughout Europe, ranging as far east as the far western regions of Russia. It is migratory in northern parts of its range, but may be resident in more southern parts in France and Spain. The dunnock was introduced to New Zealand between 1860 and 1880, where it persists today.

habitat

Dunnocks occur in woods with abundant undergrowth, and in hedges and shrubbery near forest edges, typically at a breeding density of less than about 2.6 pairs per m² (1 pair per km²). In well-vegetated farmland and gardens of midland Britain, however, their density can be up to 30 times greater.

behavior

Dunnocks are shy and unassuming birds. In many areas, they are characteristic but little-known garden birds because of their secretive habits. Most populations are migratory. Dunnocks are normally seen as individuals or pairs during the breeding season, but during winter they may occur in large foraging flocks. A particularly good local food source may encourage a flock of a hundred or more birds to gather. Dunnocks sing from the

tops of conifers of medium height. The song is a short, bright, soft, metallic twittering.

feeding ecology and diet

During the growing season, dunnocks predominantly feed on invertebrates, including insects, spiders, and worms. During the winter they eat seeds and small berries. They will readily consume food put out for songbirds at winter feeders.

reproductive biology

Dunnocks build a cup-shaped nest in a shrub or low tree. They breed from about the beginning of April to the end of July, and typically raise two broods per year. The incubation period is 12–14 days, and the young are fully fledged at 11–13 days after hatching. Both parents care for their young. Dunnocks are often polyandrous breeders, that is, a female will mate with several males within her breeding territory, and all may cooperate to raise the young.

conservation status

Not threatened. The dunnock is a widespread and relatively abundant bird. In some parts of their range, however, they have significantly decreased in abundance. In Britain, for example, the species has declined by 45–60% between 1975 and 2001. The most precipitous population decline was during 1975 through 1986, with maintenance of the lower population thereafter. The reasons for the decline are not known, and it did not occur throughout the British Isles (Wales had a population increase).

significance to humans

Dunnocks are of no direct significance to people, except for the economic benefits of bird-watching. Ticks living on dunnocks and other migratory birds have been recently (2001) implicated in the spread of a bacterial pathogen, Ehrlichia phagocytophila, the causative agent of the rare disease ehrlichiosis in humans. The dunnock is mentioned by the English novelist, Emily Brontë, in her famous novel, Wuthering Heights.

Alpine accentor

Prunella collaris

taxonomy

Prunella collaris Scopoli, 1769.

other common names

French: Accenteur Alpin; German: Alpenbraunelle; Spanish: Acentor Alpino.

physical characteristics

Length is about 7.5 in (18 cm). A drab songbird, with a slender, pointed beak and stout feet and legs. Upperparts are brownish gray streaked with black and lighter colors; underparts are more uniformly gray, with chestnut on the flanks.

distribution

A widespread species in the mountains of Europe and Asia. Also has a minor presence in North Africa.

habitat

Inhabits high alpine meadows and rocky slopes above the tree-line. A short-distance migrant that breeds at high altitude and winters in lower valleys.

behavior

Possibly because of a lack of large predators and scarcity of food at high altitude, the alpine accentor is rather unafraid to approach humans for food. Its song is a high-pitched warbling, sometimes given in flight.

feeding ecology and diet

Forages on the ground for insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. Feeds on seeds and fruits during the winter.

reproductive biology

Builds a cup-shaped nest of moss, grass stalks, and fine roots in holes and rocky clefts on the ground. Lays a clutch of four to five eggs. Because there are two clutches each year, the eggs may be found from late May to July. Females display a complex breeding behavior, involving mating with several males in succession. The polyandrous breeding system may benefit the female by encouraging the tending of the nest and protection of the young by one than one male.

conservation status

Not threatened. A widespread and abundant species within its habitat.

significance to humans

None known.

Robin accentor

Prunella rubeculoides

taxonomy

Prunella rubeculoides Moore, 1854.

other common names

French: Accenteur rougegorge; German: Rotbrustbraunelle; Spanish: Acentor de Cola Roja.

physical characteristics

Length is about 6.5 in (16–17 cm). The back is colored gray streaked with brown, the head grey, the belly whitish, and the breast rusty-orange.

distribution

A widespread species in the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, and other highlands of eastern Asia.

habitat

Mostly occurs in high montane forests of rhododendron and in willows and sedge in meadowlands, but also ventures above the tree-line to scrub habitats and wet meadows. A local, shortdistance migrant that winters in lower-altitude valleys, often around human habitation. Breeds from about 9,850 to 14,000 ft (3,000 to 4,260 m) and winters as low as 4,900 ft (1,500 m).

behavior

Usually occurs singly, in pairs, or in small groups. A relatively tame bird. The song is a high-pitched, repeated phrase.

feeding ecology and diet

Forages on the ground for insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. Feeds on seeds and fruits during the winter.

reproductive biology

Polyandrous. Builds a nest on the ground, often near a stream.

conservation status

Not threatened. A widespread species within its habitat.

significance to humans

None known.

Siberian accentor

Prunella montanella

taxonomy

Prunella montanella Pallas, 1776.

other common names

English: Mountain accentor; French: Accenteur montanelle; German: Bergbraunelle; Spanish: Acentor de Pallas.

physical characteristics

Length is about 6 in (15 cm). Upperparts are colored dark brown, the belly whitish with rufous flanks, the throat lighter, and the head with black and rufous stripes.

distribution

Ranges through the higher-altitude taiga regions of Russia from the Ural Mountains to the Bering Sea. It migrates to spend the winter in southern parts of its range in eastern China and Korea, and occurs as a vagrant in eastern Europe.

habitat

Breeds in shrubby thickets along watercourses within the boreal forest region. Winters in montane forest.

behavior

Usually occurs singly, in pairs, or in small groups. The song is a high-pitched trill.

feeding ecology and diet

Forages on the ground for insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. Feeds on seeds and fruits during the winter.

reproductive biology

Polyandrous. Nests in a tree low to the ground. Lays 4–6 light-blue-colored eggs.

conservation status

Not threatened. A widespread and abundant species within its habitat.

significance to humans

None known.

Resources

Books

BirdLife International. Threatened Birds of the World. Barcelona and Cambridge: Lynx Edicions, 2000.

Davies, N.B. Dunnock Behaviour and Social Evolution, edited by R.M. May and P.H. Harvey. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992.

Forshaw, J. M., and D. Kirshner. "Accentors." In Encyclopedia of Birds. San Diego: Academic Press, 1998.

Sibley, C. G., and B. L. Monroe Jr. Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1990.

Periodicals

Bjoersdorff, A., S. Bergstrom, R.F. Massung, P.D. Haemig, and B. Olsen. "Ehrlichia-infected ticks on migrating birds." CDC Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases 7, 5 (2001): 1.

Burke, T., N.B. Davies, M.W. Bruford, and B.J. Hatchwell. "Parental care and mating behaviour of polyandrous dunnocks Prunella modularis related to paternity and DNA fingerprinting." Nature 338: (1989): 249–251.

Organizations

BirdLife International. Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0NA United Kingdom. Phone: +44 1 223 277 318. Fax: +44-1-223-277-200. E-mail: birdlife@birdlife.org.uk Web site: <http://www.birdlife.net>

British Trust for Ornithology. The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU United Kingdom. Phone: +44 (0) 1842750050. Fax: +44 (0) 1842 750030. E-mail: info@bto.org Web site: <www.bto.org>

IUCN–The World Conservation Union. Rue Mauverney 28, Gland, 1196 Switzerland. Phone: +41-22-999-0001. Fax: +41-22-999-0025. E-mail: mail@hq.iucn.org Web site: <http://www.iucn.org>

Bill Freedman, PhD

Brian Douglas Hoyle, PhD