Songbird Saturday: Dunnock

Everything about the Dunnock is modest, understated and inconspicuous – until it opens its beak, that is! 

Often called the ‘hedge sparrow’ even though it’s not even related to the sparrow, the shy, unassuming Dunnock has one of the most subtly beautiful songs in the British countryside. At first listen, its voice might seem unremarkable – a thin, fast, slightly scratchy warble. But once you tune into it, the Dunnock’s vocal stylings become a distinctive soundtrack to hedgerows, gardens, and woodland edges.

This passerine bird’s song is a rapid, tinkling cascade of notes, seemingly delivered in a breathless rush. Unlike the melodic phrasing of the Robin or the rich clarity of the Blackbird, the Dunnock’s voice is more like a high, shimmering babble – light, bright, and slightly metallic or watery. The entire song lasts only a few seconds, but males repeat it frequently, especially in early spring when they’re establishing territory and attracting mates.

Identifying a Dunnock – a member of the Accentor family – by sight helps confirm what your ears are telling you. These small, slender birds have a delicate, almost mouse‑like way of moving: shuffling low to the ground, flicking their wings, and slipping quietly through undergrowth. Their plumage too is understated but elegant – soft brown streaking on the back, with a cool grey head and breast. The fine, pointed bill, meanwhile, is a giveaway that they are insect‑eaters, not seed‑cracking sparrows.

When listening for them, pay attention to where the sound is coming from. Dunnocks often sing from low perches: a hedge, a shrub, or the lower branches of a tree. Their song tends to start abruptly, run at a consistent pace, and end just as suddenly, without the dramatic flourishes of other garden birds.

Once you’ve learned the Dunnock’s hurried, silvery warble, you’ll start noticing it everywhere. It’s one of those quiet pleasures of British wildlife – easy to overlook, but so rewarding once recognised.

Dunnocks are also known for their surprisingly complex courtship behaviour. One of the most curious things you might see is the male pecking at the female’s cloaca — the small opening used by birds for both breeding and passing waste. Although it can look a little strange, it’s entirely normal for Dunnocks. This behaviour encourages the female to clear any sperm from previous matings, increasing the male’s chances of fathering the clutch. This unusual ritual is all part of the Dunnock’s intricate breeding system, which can involve pairs, trios and even small groups — a hidden drama playing out in the hedgerow for those who take the time to watch.