This inconspicuous little bird was introduced into New Zealand mainly by Acclimatisation Societies between 1867 – 82 and is now common throughout the mainland  in hedges in farmland, orchards, gardens, exotic plantations, scrub and native forest.

Both sexes look alike and resemble a female house sparrow except the body is slimmer and they have a fine black bill.  They are a dull sandy brown, streaked darker upperparts and greyish white underparts, with a red eye  and orange brown legs.  The call is a high-pitched insistent tseep.  They sing with a thin hurried warble, faster than the grey warbler.

Dunnocks feed on the ground mainly, eating beetles, spiders, flies, aphids, ants, worms and some small fruits and seeds.

Breeding is between August and January and 2 – 3 broods a year are raised.  The female, sometimes helped by the male, builds the well concealed nest in a hedge and usually below 2m from the ground.  The nest is a neat bowl of twigs and grass, lined with moss, hair, wool, feathers, tree fern scales.  The clutch of 2 – 5 deep blue eggs is incubated by the female only for 11 – 14 days.  The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge at 10 – 14 days.

Photography by:  Dr Kerry Rodgers ©

References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.