I was idly looking out of the kitchen window a few days ago when a Dunnock caught my eye. I am used to seeing dozens of Sparrows (House Sparrows to be precise) very day and all day in the garden. However a Dunnock is a relative rarity and I discovered that I've never posted seeing one on the blog. Dunnocks or Hedgesparrows look similar to female House Sparrows but are Accentors and have a grey head and chest and a fine beak unlike the House Sparrow's finch-like beak. They are also a solitary bird unlike the very gregarious House Sparrows.
A lovely little bird. I love learning about their habits too. What fun that it was right there, in the garden! xoxo DeeDee
ReplyDeleteThey are not uncommon DeeDee but I don't see many of them here in the garden.
DeleteI would not have known the differences between this bird and a sparrow, but now that you have pointed them out they are rather obvious.
ReplyDeleteYes Meike they are obvious when you look in detail.
DeleteCute! :)
ReplyDeleteYes Monica they are quite cute.
DeleteThank you for the excellent second picture that will help me to identify dunnocks in the future.
ReplyDeleteGlad to be of service YP.
DeleteYou got a very detailed photo of a handsome little bird. He's much better looking than the house sparrow.
ReplyDeleteI have a soft spot for Sparrows Red.
DeleteBecause they are so common (and brown) we tend to overlook them, in fact they're lovely little birds.
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly Cro.
DeleteA cute little bird, whatever the name.
ReplyDeleteI've always rather liked the name Dunnock Virginia.
DeleteThat must have been an exciting moment.
ReplyDeleteIt made me happy Diane.
DeleteMissed this post. There is a male here with three wives, I suspect it is a Saudi Dunnock. You did well to get a picture they seem to spend their lives hiding in ground litter.
ReplyDeleteYes Adrian they are not the most forthcoming of birds in the open.
DeleteI don't think I'd be able to tell that from a sparrow but it is a lovely little bird.
ReplyDeleteYou would Pauline as soon as you looked closely. It's just that at a glance they looking similar.
Delete