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Dunnock Identification Guide

The Dunnock is a small, discreet bird often mistaken for a sparrow, but identifiable by its bluish-grey breast and slender bill. It usually stays hidden in low vegetation. Here, you will learn how to recognize the Dunnock through its appearance, songs and calls, shy behavior, diet, breeding habits, and preferred habitats.
What I look like

What I look like

The Dunnock has a **blue-grey** head and chest.

The Dunnock has a blue-grey head and chest.

The upper body and wings of the Dunnock are **russet-brown** marked with **black**.

The upper body and wings of the Dunnock are russet-brown marked with black.

It has a **slender, black beak**.

It has a slender, black beak.

It can be mistaken for the **House Sparrow**, but it is slimmer and has a finer beak.

It can be mistaken for the House Sparrow, but it is slimmer and has a finer beak.

The **juvenile** has very **little grey** in its plumage and its chest is **streaked with brown**.

The juvenile has very little grey in its plumage and its chest is streaked with brown.

Discover also : European Robin Identification Guide
Want to learn to recognize birds quickly by their shapes and morphology? The Ornitho Mnemolia course guides you step by step. Start the course
My songs, my calls

My songs, my calls

The Dunnock is **one of the first to start singing** again at the end of February.

The Dunnock is one of the first to start singing again at the end of February.

Sometimes its **chirps** can be heard from the tops of **bushes**.

Sometimes its chirps can be heard from the tops of bushes.

Its **alarm call "tsip"** is a piercing whistle.

Its alarm call "tsip" is a piercing whistle.

It emits **pure and high-pitched sounds** when it **flies**. "dididi"

It emits pure and high-pitched sounds when it flies. "dididi"

Its song has a **clearer timbre**. It's a **high-pitched and rapid** warble, energetic but not very loud.

Its song has a clearer timbre. It's a high-pitched and rapid warble, energetic but not very loud.

Discover also : European Robin Identification Guide
Identifying a bird by its song is easier than you think. The Ornitho Mnemolia course trains you with progressive audio quizzes. Start the course
How I behave

How I behave

The Dunnock is **inconspicuous**. It might be mistaken for a grey mouse under the bushes.

The Dunnock is inconspicuous. It might be mistaken for a grey mouse under the bushes.

Its presence is more noticeable by its **sharp and melodious song**.

Its presence is more noticeable by its sharp and melodious song.

If you manage to see it, it often **hops** under bushes in search of food.

If you manage to see it, it often hops under bushes in search of food.

Discover also : European Robin Identification Guide
Reading a bird's behavior changes everything in the field. The course shows you the key attitudes to recognize. Start the course
How I reproduce

How I reproduce

The breeding season for the Dunnock runs from April to August.

It produces **2 broods per year** of 3 to 6 eggs.

It produces 2 broods per year of 3 to 6 eggs.

Its **nest** is made of **twigs, moss, and lichen**, forming a small **cup**.

Its nest is made of twigs, moss, and lichen, forming a small cup.

The Dunnock places its nest in **bushes near the ground**.

The Dunnock places its nest in bushes near the ground.

Discover also : European Robin Identification Guide
Understanding the species' life cycle helps you observe them better… and avoid disturbing them. The course covers everything you need to know. Start the course
What I eat

What I eat

The Dunnock eats **insects and seeds**.

The Dunnock eats insects and seeds.

Its **fine beak** allows it to easily feed on insects.

Its fine beak allows it to easily feed on insects.

It hops on the **ground**, under bushes to find **food**.

It hops on the ground, under bushes to find food.

In winter, this discreet bird sometimes comes out of the bushes to approach **feeders**.

In winter, this discreet bird sometimes comes out of the bushes to approach feeders.

It fiercely pecks at the small **seeds** that have fallen **to the ground** from the feeder.

It fiercely pecks at the small seeds that have fallen to the ground from the feeder.

Discover also : European Robin Identification Guide
To find birds more easily, you need to know their feeding habits. The course teaches you where to look and why. Start the course
Where to find me

Where to find me

The Dunnock lives in **mixed and coniferous woods** and in **dense parks and gardens**.

The Dunnock lives in mixed and coniferous woods and in dense parks and gardens.

The Dunnock is adapted to the **mountain**. It can live at **altitude**, enjoying **pine forests**.

The Dunnock is adapted to the mountain. It can live at altitude, enjoying pine forests.

In the garden, the Dunnock prefers to settle in **thick hedges and brush**.

In the garden, the Dunnock prefers to settle in thick hedges and brush.

It is a **sedentary** species and sometimes a **short-distance migrant**.

It is a sedentary species and sometimes a short-distance migrant.

Some Dunnocks spend the **winter in the same place**, while others head to **warmer areas**.

Some Dunnocks spend the winter in the same place, while others head to warmer areas.

Discover also : European Robin Identification Guide
Finding a species also means understanding its habitat. The Ornitho Mnemolia course helps you locate each bird in the right place. Start the course
The Dunnock is identified by its bluish-grey breast, early high-pitched song, ground-feeding behavior, and secretive lifestyle in dense vegetation. Careful observation of hedges allows reliable identification.