Accentor
Encyclopedia
The accentors are in the only bird
family, the Prunellidae, which is completely endemic to the Palearctic
. This small group of closely related passerine
s are all in a single genus Prunella. All but the Dunnock and the Japanese Accentor are inhabitants of the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia; these two also occur in lowland areas, as does the Siberian Accentor in the far north of Siberia. This genus is not strongly migratory
, but they will leave the coldest parts of their range in winter, and make altitudinal movements.
These are small, fairly drab species superficially similar, but unrelated to, sparrow
s; they are generally regarded as being related to the thrush
es or the warbler
s. They are 14 to 18 centimetres in length, and weigh between 25 and 35 grams. However, accentors have thin sharp bills, reflecting their diet of ground-dwelling insects in summer, augmented with seeds and berries in winter. They may also swallow grit and sand to help their stomach break up these seeds.
Their typical habitat is mountainous regions in an area far above the tree-line, but below the snow-line. The Himalayan accentor can be found as high as 17,000 ft above sea level when breeding, however, most accentors breed in scrub vegetation at lower levels. Most species migrate downwards to spend the winter, with only some being hardy enough to remain. Accentors spend the majority of their time in the undergrowth and even when flushed, stay low to the ground until reaching cover.
Most of the species live together in flocks, like other members of Prunellidae. The dunnock is an exception since it prefers to be solitary except when feeding. The dunnock also earned a nickname of "shuffle-wing" since it most strongly displays the characteristic wing flicks used during courtship and other displays.
Accentors may have two to three broods a year. Courtship consists of a great deal of song from the males, which may include short lark-like song flights to attract a mate. In most species, the male and female share in the nest making, with the dunnocks again being an exception - their males have no part in nest building or incubation. They build neat cup nests and lay about 4 unspotted green or blue eggs. The eggs are incubated for around 12 days. The young are fed by both parents and take an additional 12 days or so to fledge.
Harrison used the group name Dunnock for all of the species, not just Prunella modularis (thus e.g. Japanese Dunnock for P. rubida); this usage has much to be said for it, based as it is on the oldest known name for any of the species (old English dun-, brown, + -ock, small bird: "little brown bird"), and a much more euphonious name than the contrived "Accentor". Accentor was the scientific name for the Alpine Accentor (Accentor collaris). It comes from Late Latin
, meaning "sing with another" (ad + cantor).
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
family, the Prunellidae, which is completely endemic to the Palearctic
Palearctic
The Palearctic or Palaearctic is one of the eight ecozones dividing the Earth's surface.Physically, the Palearctic is the largest ecozone...
. This small group of closely related passerine
Passerine
A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...
s are all in a single genus Prunella. All but the Dunnock and the Japanese Accentor are inhabitants of the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia; these two also occur in lowland areas, as does the Siberian Accentor in the far north of Siberia. This genus is not strongly migratory
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
, but they will leave the coldest parts of their range in winter, and make altitudinal movements.
These are small, fairly drab species superficially similar, but unrelated to, sparrow
Sparrow
The sparrows are a family of small passerine birds, Passeridae. They are also known as true sparrows, or Old World sparrows, names also used for a genus of the family, Passer...
s; they are generally regarded as being related to the thrush
Thrush (bird)
The thrushes, family Turdidae, are a group of passerine birds that occur worldwide.-Characteristics:Thrushes are plump, soft-plumaged, small to medium-sized birds, inhabiting wooded areas, and often feed on the ground or eat small fruit. The smallest thrush may be the Forest Rock-thrush, at and...
es or the warbler
Warbler
There are a number of Passeriformes called "warblers". They are not particularly closely related, but share some characteristics, such as being fairly small, vocal and insectivorous....
s. They are 14 to 18 centimetres in length, and weigh between 25 and 35 grams. However, accentors have thin sharp bills, reflecting their diet of ground-dwelling insects in summer, augmented with seeds and berries in winter. They may also swallow grit and sand to help their stomach break up these seeds.
Their typical habitat is mountainous regions in an area far above the tree-line, but below the snow-line. The Himalayan accentor can be found as high as 17,000 ft above sea level when breeding, however, most accentors breed in scrub vegetation at lower levels. Most species migrate downwards to spend the winter, with only some being hardy enough to remain. Accentors spend the majority of their time in the undergrowth and even when flushed, stay low to the ground until reaching cover.
Most of the species live together in flocks, like other members of Prunellidae. The dunnock is an exception since it prefers to be solitary except when feeding. The dunnock also earned a nickname of "shuffle-wing" since it most strongly displays the characteristic wing flicks used during courtship and other displays.
Accentors may have two to three broods a year. Courtship consists of a great deal of song from the males, which may include short lark-like song flights to attract a mate. In most species, the male and female share in the nest making, with the dunnocks again being an exception - their males have no part in nest building or incubation. They build neat cup nests and lay about 4 unspotted green or blue eggs. The eggs are incubated for around 12 days. The young are fed by both parents and take an additional 12 days or so to fledge.
Species list
FAMILY: PRUNELLIDAE- Genus: Prunella
- Alpine AccentorAlpine AccentorThe Alpine Accentor, Prunella collaris, is a small passerine bird found throughout the mountains of southern temperate Europe and Asia at heights above 2000 m. It is mainly resident, wintering more widely at lower latitudes, but some birds wander as rare vagrants as far as Great Britain.It is...
, Prunella collaris - Altai Accentor, Prunella himalayana
- Robin AccentorRobin AccentorThe Robin Accentor is a species of bird in the Prunellidae family. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 27 July 2007.-External links:*...
, Prunella rubeculoides - Rufous-breasted AccentorRufous-breasted AccentorThe Rufous-breasted Accentor is a species of bird in the Prunellidae family. It is found in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.Its natural habitat is temperate forests.-References:...
, Prunella strophiata - Siberian AccentorSiberian AccentorThe Siberian Accentor, Prunella montanella, is a small passerine bird which breeds in northern Siberia on both sides of the Urals. It is migratory, wintering in southeast Asia. It is a rare vagrant in western Europe....
, Prunella montanella - Brown AccentorBrown AccentorThe Brown Accentor is a species of bird in the Prunellidae family. It is found in Afghanistan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan....
, Prunella fulvescens - Radde's AccentorRadde's AccentorThe Radde's Accentor is a species of bird in the Prunellidae family. It is found in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, and Turkey....
, Prunella ocularis - Black-throated AccentorBlack-throated AccentorThe Black-throated Accentor , Prunella atrogularis, is a small passerine bird found across temperate and subarctic Asia. It is migratory, wintering in India and other parts of southern Asia. It is a rare vagrant in western Europe....
, Prunella atrogularis - Koslow's Accentor, Prunella koslowi
- DunnockDunnockThe Dunnock, Prunella modularis, is a small passerine bird found throughout temperate Europe and into Asia. It is by far the most widespread member of the accentor family, which otherwise consists of mountain species...
, Hedge Accentor or Hedge Sparrow, Prunella modularis - Japanese AccentorJapanese AccentorThe Japanese Accentor is a species of bird in the Prunellidae family. It is found in Japan and Russia.Its natural habitat is temperate forests.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 27 July 2007....
, Prunella rubida - Maroon-backed AccentorMaroon-backed AccentorThe Maroon-backed Accentor is a species of bird in the Prunellidae family. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal.Its natural habitat is temperate forests.-References:...
, Prunella immaculata - Yemen AccentorYemen AccentorThe Arabian Accentor or Yemen Accentor is a species of bird in the Prunellidae family. It is endemic to Yemen.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
, Prunella fagani
- Alpine Accentor
Harrison used the group name Dunnock for all of the species, not just Prunella modularis (thus e.g. Japanese Dunnock for P. rubida); this usage has much to be said for it, based as it is on the oldest known name for any of the species (old English dun-, brown, + -ock, small bird: "little brown bird"), and a much more euphonious name than the contrived "Accentor". Accentor was the scientific name for the Alpine Accentor (Accentor collaris). It comes from Late Latin
Late Latin
Late Latin is the scholarly name for the written Latin of Late Antiquity. The English dictionary definition of Late Latin dates this period from the 3rd to the 6th centuries AD extending in Spain to the 7th. This somewhat ambiguously defined period fits between Classical Latin and Medieval Latin...
, meaning "sing with another" (ad + cantor).
External links
- Accentor videos on the Internet Bird Collection