This little bird is a Dunnock or Hedge Sparrow or Hedge Warbler or Hedge Accentor. It goes by many names!!! I took these yesterday near where I live.
What is so fascinating about this bird is that the Females are rather promiscuous. This was only found out in the 1990's. The females will mate with several males and those chaps will help in the rearing of the young, ensuring a plentiful supply of food for the young chicks whose father may never be really known. No DNA testing in the world of birds.
In the South of England Dunnocks are often targeted by Cuckoos even though Cuckoo eggs are so different from there own. Just as well there are several Dads about to help, a Cuckoo chick takes some feeding.
I will not go into the sexual behaviour and copulation of the Dunnock but suggest you watch this TV except from Life of Birds it is truly extraordinary. Follow Link (ONLY FOR PEOPLE IN UK)
11 comments:
Love these images against a white background - hope you didn't have to 'cut' it all out!
phooey, when i tried to watch the video, it says sorry not available in your area. that would be USA. humm
love the photos and the story is new to me. who knew there are birds with several dads to guard the roost. love it
here in Florida, gas/petrol to you is 3.60 per gallon. i don't know how mmuch that is since yous is litres.
Terrific photos, and I always learn something new and interesting when I visit your blog.
Lovely shots!
so pretty ...
Your photos are special! Love the birds with the white background.
Love that last image - just beautiful with that touch of green!
Hard to tell about our sparrows' behavior. They seem to travel in packs of a jillion or two. There are so many in the tree outside our bedroom window on spring mornings that I half expect the tree to take flight!
Yes, the white background is nice. Interesting bit about the female behavior :)
Very interesting bird and your photos, with the white backgroud!
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