Accentors

The Prunellidae are small, unobtrusive songbirds with slender bills and a distinctive shuffling walk. These sparrow-sized birds have subtle brown and grey feathers, often with streaked upper parts. They differ from true sparrows because their finer bills are adapted for eating insects. The family includes twelve species found across the Palearctic region, from western Europe through the Himalayas to Japan. The greatest variety is found in the mountainous areas of central Asia. Accentors usually live in rocky areas, mountain meadows, scrubland, and forest edges, although some species are found in lowland habitats. Most species stay in one area or move up and down mountains with the seasons. They mostly feed on the ground, moving with a creeping motion as they search for insects and seeds. The Dunnock is the only species that breeds in Britain, where it prefers gardens and hedgerows. although several Asian species sometimes appear as rare visitors.