Dunnock

The introduced dunnock is a quiet, ground-feeding songbird often mistaken for a sparrow. It has a slender dark bill, grey head and breast, and finely streaked brown back; unlike a house sparrow it lacks a thick seed-cracking bill and bold facial pattern.

It is widespread in settled and shrubby habitats across much of New Zealand, including gardens and forest margins. Dunnocks shuffle beneath cover for small invertebrates and seeds, usually singly, while males sing from low exposed perches.

Watch beneath hedges and shrubs in gardens and parks, particularly in the South Island.