Dunnock
Prunella modularis

>> GENERAL >>>>>

– sparrow-sized passerine
– nocturnal/diurnal migrant
– often overlooked

>> FLIGHT >>>>>

– usually flies very high on migration against light skies, so that it is often only the flight call that attracts attention to it at all
– silhouette very reminiscent of Meadow Pipit
– flight rather slowly, but more confident and less nervous than Meadow Pipit
– usually alone or in small, very loose flocks

>> VISUAL ID >>>>>

– size between Great Tit and Common Chaffinch
– very inconspicuous plumage with no prominent features in flight


Dunnock Prunella m. modularis
BIF1274, 26/03/2016, North Sea, offshore, Roland Neumann


Dunnock Prunella m. modularis
BIF1275, 26/03/2016, North Sea, offshore, Roland Neumann

BIF398_MPU_I1Q2089_131014_hedacc_1cy_d_wermsdorf
Dunnock Prunella m. modularis, 1CY
BIF0398, 14/10/2013, Wermsdorfer Teiche, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF399_MPU_I1Q2084_131014_hedacc_1cy_d_wermsdorf
Dunnock Prunella m. modularis, 1CY
BIF0399, 14/10/2013, Wermsdorfer Teiche, Germany, Mathias Putze

BIF400_MPU_I1Q2086_131014_hedacc_1cy_d_wermsdorf
Dunnock Prunella m. modularis, 1CY
BIF0400, 14/10/2013, Wermsdorfer Teiche, Germany, Mathias Putze


Dunnock Prunella m. modularis, AD
BIF0401, 05/04/2011, Leipzig, Germany, Mathias Putze

>> SOUND ID >>>>>

– a polyphonic downslur with harmonic partials
– usually uttered as triplets
– sharp, piercing, metallic timbre
– similar to European Robin excitement call

BIF402-3_PFR02787_1-11_081024_hedacc-modularis-1-FC_d_mv_gr-oie_REF-S
Dunnock Prunella m. modularis, flight calls, social or excitement calls
BIF0402, 24/10/2008, Greifswalder Oie, Germany, Patrick Franke


Dunnock Prunella m. modularis, flight call
Common Reed Bunting Emberiza s. schoeniclus, flight call
BIF2943, 22/09/2017, Werbeliner See, Germany, Patrick Franke

>> COMPARISON SPECIES >>>>>

Alpine Accentor (v)
Siberian Accentor (v)

#passerine #songbird

#ornithology #birdmigration #birdID #birdguide #birding #birdwatching #birdsound #westernpalearctic #europe #vismig #flightcalls #middleeast #northernafrica #workinprogress