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Prunella modularis
The dunnock typically measures 13.5–14 cm in length. It possesses a streaked back, somewhat resembling a small house sparrow. Like that species, the dunnock has a drab appearance in order to avoid predation. It is brownish underneath, and has a fine pointed bill. Adults have a grey head, and both sexes are similarly coloured. Forages on ground, often in or around bushes, close to cover; picks up small insects and seeds. Easily overlooked, it is widely distributed in a great variety of places. Its sharp calls and fast, high-pitched but slightly “flat” song call attention to it. If disturbed, it generally flies at near ground-level into the nearest thick bush.
Spotted at 2000 m. altitude. Bushes, alpine meadows and rocks. Parque Natural de Sierra de Gredos
The generally quite dull and unobtrusive looks of the Dunnock bely its unusual mating habits: it forms one-female-two-male or even one-male-two-female trios when breeding. Polyandry, though, is the most common mating system of dunnocks found in nature. Polygynandry also exists. Dunnocks take just one-tenth of a second to copulate and can mate more than 100 times a day. Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/640 sec.; f/13; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm. No Flash fired
Spotted on May 16, 2015
Submitted on Jun 15, 2015
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