Would you like to know how to identify a dunnock and what dunnock eggs look like? We provide this and other interesting information and pictures of the dunnock.
The dunnock (Prunella modularis) is a rather inconspicuous songbird. It usually hides in dense vegetation and is perfectly camouflaged there by its inconspicuous appearance. However, when their lovely song comes from hedges or trees, the little bird immediately attracts everyone's attention. The dunnock can also be observed and, above all, heard more and more often in our gardens - it is therefore worth keeping an eye out for the talented singer. You can find out how to clearly identify a dunnock and how you can give the garden bird a home in our large profile.
How to recognize the dunnock
Dunnocks are medium-sized songbirds with brown and black striped plumage. At first glance they resemble a house sparrow, but they have a small, narrow beak, in contrast to the typical strong beak of sparrows. Another unique feature of dunnocks is the blue-grey coloring of the sides of the neck and throat.
How do dunnock females and males differ?
Male and female dunnbells are very difficult to tell apart. On average, the males have a more pronounced proportion of blue-grey coloring and are therefore a bit more conspicuous than the females. However, this distinguishing feature is very variable and therefore difficult to apply.
What does the dunnock song sound like?
The song of the dunnock is high and clear. It consists of a lovely stanza, which is often sung from high vantage points: "Tütellitidü-tütellitidü-tüdellüdi". Since the small birds are so seldom seen, this distinct song is a good identifier.
You can listen to the song of the dunnock here:
The songbird calls are just as bright and clear, but less simpleto recognize. The dunnock's warning call sounds like a sharp whistle: "Tiih!".
How do you recognize a dunnock fledgling?
Young dunnocks still lack the blue-grey coloring of the throat and sides of the neck that distinguishes the adult animals. Their entire plumage is heavily striped black and brown. Also, their juvenile beak is characterized by a bright, orange base.
What do dunnock eggs look like?
Dunnock eggs are about 1.7 centimeters in size and a brilliant turquoise blue. They are placed in a bowl-shaped nest made of straw, roots, and other plant fibers that have been padded with soft materials such as feathers or animal hair.
Which habitat does the dunnock prefer?
Ideally, dunnocks inhabit forests with a lot of undergrowth. Coniferous forests are preferred by the small songbirds, but they also inhabit deciduous and mixed forests. However, since there is only little undergrowth left in our forests, dunnocks are becoming more and more common in parks, gardens and other green spaces.
Where does the dunnock build its nest?
Dunnocks build their nests in dense vegetation: in hedges, shrubs or small trees. The nest is well hidden, but attached relatively close to the ground. The nesting sites, which are only a few meters high, therefore often fall victim to nest robbers such as martens, foxes or cats.
When is the dunnock breeding season?
Dunnbell breeding season begins in April. The eggs are incubated - mainly by the female - for about two weeks before the young birds hatch. The little ones are then fed for another 14 days in the nest before they are big enough to start exploring. Since the vegetation is not so dense, especially at the beginning of the year, and the conspicuous eggs are easy for predators to see, the first brood is often lost. This is why dunnocks usually have a second or even a third brood.
Where do dunnocks spend the winter?
Dunnock are partial migrants. This means that not all populations abandon their breeding sites in winter to move into pull south. In mild regions, it often happens that the small birds remain in their territories during the cold season. Here, too, dunnocks can occasionally be observed at feeding stations in winter, where they pick up fine seeds. However, most individuals - particularly populations from more northern regions - overwinter in southern Europe or northern Africa.
Support the dunnock in the garden: This is how it works
Dunnnocks have been increasingly found in close proximity to humans for years due to the ongoing decline in their natural habitat. The gifted singers can also feel at home in your garden. You can find out how to create an inviting home for the dunnock here.
What do dunnocks eat?
Depending on the season, dunnock have a different diet. In spring and summer they feed mainly on small animals such as insects, spiders, worms or snails. This protein-rich food is particularly important during the rearing of the young birds. In winter, on the other hand, they use fine seeds from perennials and wild herbs.
If you want to offer additional food for the small birds during the cold season, they should not use large grains, but rather a softer food. Our Plantura loose feed, for example, contains small, rich seeds, oat flakes and raisins in addition to the classic grains such as sunflower or peanuts. It therefore provides food for the dunnock as well as a whole range of other garden birds during the cold winter months.
Native perennials and shrubs - such as thistles, elderberries, stinging nettles or sorrels - which provide the birds with small seeds, are also natural supplements. Native, bird-friendly wild herbs are also an important source of food.
Note: To ensure that perennials provide a source of food not only in late spring but also throughout the winter, you should only cut them in the spring. This allows the birds to pick the remaining seeds from the infructescence.
Which nesting aids are suitable for dunnock?
Because dunnocks are not cavity breeders, there are no classic closed nest boxes for them. The free breeders prefer to build their own nest in the thicket. You can therefore support the birds with dense shrubs and hedges that are not thinned out too muchmay be. But even a large heap of brushwood can offer protection and living space.
Note: Thorny shrubs, such as native wild roses, offer an extra portion of protection. Inside, the birds can nest undisturbed and are safe from nest robbers.
How can you support the dunnock?
While supporting birds in your own backyard is a great thing, natural habitat is incredibly important to preserving our bird population. You can help here too: For example, support sustainable and ecological agriculture and forestry that promotes structural elements, offers birds and other animal species a home and does not use harmful pesticides.
In the meantime, there's still more you can do for the birds in your own garden. Measures for an insect-friendly garden, for example, not only bring pollinators and other small beneficial insects into your garden, but also ensure a richly set table for numerous garden birds. You can also offer a watering hole for birds. This is gratefully accepted, especially on hot days. But be careful: At high temperatures, water shells can also quickly develop into breeding grounds for infectious diseases. You should therefore clean your water point regularly and ideally daily during particularly hot periods.
By the way, numerous other bird species are also happy about the design of a bird-friendly garden. Like the dunnock, the black redstart or the white wagtail, for example, is dependent on a rich range of insects.