Latin name - Prunella modularis

Also known as the Hedge sparrow (although not in fact a sparrow at all), the Dunnock is a small, quiet and unobtrusive bird. Both sexes are alike, slightly smaller and slimmer than a House Sparrow it appears to be a small brown bird. Closer inspection reveal a blue-grey head and breast, brown upper-parts, neatly streaked with black, and pink legs. The young have brown streaks on the head and chest instead of grey. It likes heavy cover such as hedges, thickets, edges of wood and scrub. It is a ground feeder and often visits gardens where it will pick up the crumbs beneath a bird feeder table. The hen bird builds a cup-shaped nest from twigs and moss, usually in dense shrubs and trees. Cuckoos often lay their eggs in a Dunnock nest.