Birds Egg query

[Bonzo 2000]

We have found a small nest in a dense bush in our garden in Argyll, but we are struggling to identify the owner. The nest is quite neat and about the size of a half grapefruit. Without getting too close to cause disturbance, the bird on top is small with quite plain brown feathers and lighter brown streaks down her back. When she flies the nest, she appears smaller than a sparrow, with an upturned tail. I had suspected that she was a wren, but I understand that wrens eggs are white with red specks. The nest contains 4 eggs, about 15mm long, but a plain wedgewood blue colour, no specks. In checking last night, there were two very small, very hungry chicks. Any ideas on what this bird is?

[yogasun]

Possibly Hedge Sparrow otherwise known as a Dunnock.
Their eggs are wedgewood blue colour. As you say Wren's eggs are white with red specks.
I stand to be corrected on this.

I will ask my ornithological son later and if different will post again!

[Jules001]

From the colour of the eggs I would say a Dunnock which is not to be confused with the hedge sparrow they are two completely different birds.

[yogasun]

Jules001
My son begs to differ !! Hedge Sparrow and Dunnock, same Latin name - Prunella modularis
Also called Hedge Accentor
Collins guide gives them as the same bird, as does Larousse's Guide (We have about 100 Bird books as my son and husband are keen ornithologists!)

[Bonzo 2000]

Thank you both. I've had a look at some online dunnock info and that appears to be the one. Result!!

[Avatar]

Oxford press's Birds of the Western Palearctic, the BOU, RSPB and most respected bodies know that a Dunnock and Hedge Sparrow are one and the same.

[Jules001]

apologies are due to Yogasun, on referring back to my bird books, a few of them state the dunnock (once known as the hedge sparrow/ or for many years known as the hedge sparrow ) although not related to the sparrow at all and one book says 'the dunnock otherwise known (wrongly) as the hedge sparrow'. the link here from BTO http://www.bto.org/gbw/Species/BIRDS_DUNNO.htm also says the dunnock is no sparrow. With all this information saying it is not a sparrow, I think I must just have got confused, I'm still a novice birdwatcher, and willing to learn something new every day :)

[yogasun]

That's OK Jules001 - am glad you're not now contesting it as my greatly more knowledgeable son has gone off to work and I might be floundering!! I am only becoming more knowledgeable by an osmotic process over the years. Great hobby !

[good_egg]

I love dunnocks. Where we feed the birds, you get all the squabbling on the feeders. the blue tits get pushed out by the great tits, who in turn get pushed out by the chaffinches and green finches, and finally the bullfinch turns up, and he seems to be the most aggressive of all. spending far more energy in ensuring he has the feeder to himself, than actually eating.

All the time these battles are raging above, the dunnock quietly goes about his business, finding all the grains and seeds that get dropped and spilt by the others and probably does far better the others combined.

[burnhal]

good-eggs description of the dunnocks behaviour will ring a bell with most of us! That same scene plays over and over again in my garden as well.

Incidentally- Collins is a bit out of date- I dont think anyone has called the dunnock by the misnomer hedge sparrow for many years! Yes it is an accentor- the other European member of the family being the Alpine Accentor.

It may interest all and sundry to know that despite being quiet and mouse like in habit- the dunnocks private life is exciting to say the least- it practises polygamy, polyandry and any other combination! Your pair of dunnocks is likely to be any combination from several!!

[DAPVRBM]

this is a hedge sparrow or in scotland refered to as a dunnock

[DAPVRBM]

HEDGE SPARROW IN SCOTLAND KNOWN AS A DUNNOCK

[DAPVRBM]

YES DUNNOCK

[DAPVRBM]

dunnock