These birds are not strongly migratory, but they will leave the coldest parts of their range in winter and make altitudinal movements.

[9] These are small, fairly drab species superficially similar, but not closely related to, sparrows.

They are 14 to 18 cm in length, and weigh between 25 and 35 g.[2] However, accentors have thin sharp bills, reflecting their diet of ground-dwelling insects in summer, augmented with small seeds and berries in winter.

They build neat cup nests and lay 3–6 unspotted green or blue eggs.

[5] Accentors spend the majority of their time in the undergrowth and even when flushed, stay low to the ground until reaching cover.