Tag Archives: Prunella modularis

Little brown bird

Runntítla – Dunnock – Prunella modularis

This little friend is a new bird on my list, number 224. It was spotted a week ago in Sólbrekka, in Reykjanes Peninsula. The Dunnock is a rare vagrant in Iceland. It is small, quiet and often seen on the ground and on its own. The Dunnocks are noted for their singing. Dunnock means little brown bird.

The mating behaviour of the Dunnock is very special and rare among birds depending on the availability of food. If there is not enough food the females share several males, but if food is in abundance one male might monopolise many spouses.