The dunnock (Prunella modularis) is a small passerine, or perching bird, found throughout temperate Europe and into Asian Russia.

[8] The genus name Prunella is from the German Braunelle, "dunnock", a diminutive of braun, "brown".

[13][11][14] Unlike any similar sized small brown bird in Europe, dunnocks exhibit frequent wing flicking, especially when engaged in territorial disputes or when competing for mating rights.

[16] The main call of the dunnock is a shrill, persistent tseep along with a short, weak trilling note, which betrays the bird's otherwise inconspicuous presence.

[13][17] Dunnocks are native to large areas of Eurasia, inhabiting much of Europe and southwest Asia including Lebanon, northern Iran, and the Caucasus.

[18] Favoured habitats include woodlands, shrubs, gardens, and hedgerows where they typically feed on the ground, often seeking out detritivores as food.

[19] Dunnocks were successfully introduced into New Zealand during the 19th century, and are now widely distributed around the country and some offshore islands.

When resources are distributed in dense patches, female ranges tend to be small and easy for males to monopolise.

DNA fingerprinting has shown that chicks within a brood often have different fathers, depending on the success of the males at monopolising the female.

Other mating systems also exist within dunnock populations, depending on the ratio of male to females and the overlap of territories.

[31] The dunnock builds a nest (predominantly from twigs and moss and lined with soft materials such as wool or feathers), low in a bush or conifer, where adults typically lay three to five unspotted blue eggs.

This last system represents the best case scenario for females, as it helps to ensure maximal care and the success of the young.

If a male has greater access to a female, and therefore a higher chance of a successful fertilisation, during a specific mating period, it would provide more care towards the young.