Dunnock

    Prunella modularis

Castilian: Acentor común

Catalan: Pardal de bardissa

Gallego: Azulenta

Euskera: Tuntun arrunta

CLASIFICACIÓN:

Orden: Passeriformes

Family: Prunellidae

Migratory status: Permanent resident

CONSERVATION STATUS:

On the National List of Threatened Species, it appears in the “Of Special Interest” category. In the 2004 edition of the Red Book of Spanish Birds (Libro Rojo de las Aves de España) it is listed as “Not Evaluated”.

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THREATS

It does not have conservation problems due to the fact that it occupies different types of shrubs, and it is even possible that the species has been favoured by the abandonment of mountain farming and livestock as shrublands have expanded to the detriment of pastureland and farm land.

Length / size: 13-14 cm / 19-21 cm

Identification: Bird the size of a sparrow, with a thin, black, pointy bill and strong, reddish legs. Its back is brown with a scaly appearance; its head, throat and breast are lead grey (more intense in males); and its auricular area and crown are brown. The juvenile's plumage is brown and heavily marked by dark stripes; the base of its bill is orange.

Song: Its call is a high-pitched whistle, "seet". Its song is a series of high-pitched warbles.

Diet: It feeds on insects, spiders and other invertebrates that it catches on the ground; it also consumes seeds, fruits and pine nuts, especially in winter when insects are scarce.

Reproduction: The breeding period begins in April. The nest is placed at a low height, in the vegetation or in tree hollows or other birds' nests, but it is always hidden. It is cup-shaped and made of different plant matter and covered with wool, hair and feathers; the female is in charge of its construction as well as incubation. The chicks are fed by both parents.

HABITAT

It occupies all kinds of scrublands and shrub environments, such as moors, broom stands, common juniper plants, and forests with heavy undergrowth. In winter it moves to any area that has some undergrowth or shrub or river vegetation.

DISTRIBUTION

In Spain: When breeding, it is evenly distributed throughout the northern third of the peninsula, the Iberian and Central Systems, Sierra Nevada, Maestrazgo and Las Villuercas. In winter, it occupies practically all of the peninsula, in addition to the Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla.

In Castile and León: When breeding, it is distributed throughout the mountainous massifs in the community. In winter, it is found in all the provinces.

Movements and migrations: The European populations can be migrant, partially migrant or resident, depending on the latitude at which they are found. The wintering areas are distributed throughout the entire Mediterranean region, reaching northern Africa. The autumn migration takes place between September-October, and the spring one in March.

POPULATION

In Spain: There is an estimated population of 400000-1000000 breeding pairs (1997 data).

In Castile and León: