Alpine Accentor

Prunella collaris

Photo by Yeshey Dorji

Identification

L. 15-17.5 cm

• Grey-brown above with dark streaks
• Grey head
• White throat patch with black barring
• Grey-brown underparts
• Bold red-brown streaks on flanks
• Small yellow patch at base of black bill

Distribution

In the Western Palearctic breeds in mountain areas across the south of the Region. In Iberia found in the Cantabrians, Sierra de Gredos and Sierra Nevada, and the Pyrenees. Also breeds throughout the Alps and Apennines and further east in the Carpathians and in scattered localities in the Balkans and northern Greece, much of south and east Turkey and the Caucasus. In the Mediterranean breeds on Corsica and Crete and in North Africa at one or two sites in the Moroccan Atlas. May breed in Portugal and has bred in Algeria. Beyond the Western Palearctic range extends east across Asia to China and Korea, also breeds on Honshu in Japan, and Taiwan.

Basically resident but undergoes seasonal altitudinal movements. More extensive movements seem to occur as it becomes much more widespread in winter in Spain, southern France, the Balkans and appears on some islands where breeding is not known to occur.

Vagrants recorded north to Scandinavia and Britain, also Belgium, the Netherlands and northern Germany including Heligoland. To the south recorded on Malta, in Israel and Jordan. First record for the Canary Islands was on Tenerife in April 1998. A very rare vagrant to Britain and Ireland (c.43 records) mainly in southern England in autumn/winter but occasionally in spring.

Taxonomy

Subspecies

Nine races recognised

1. Nominate race occurs in south-west Europe and North Africa
2. subalpina in south-east Europe and western Turkey
3. montana in the Caucasus, Iraq and Iran
4. rufilata Tajikistan, north Afghanistan and western China
5. whimperi in north-west India and the western Himalayas
6. nipalensis in southern China and the eastern Himalayas
7. tibetana in eastern Tibet and north-west China
8. erythropygia in the remainder of China, Korea and Japan
9. fennellii in Taiwan.

Habitat

Found at 1,800-5,500m in mountains and high plateaux in open grassy areas and south-facing slopes strewn with boulders. Often feeds near snow patches and in winter frequently feeds around buildings. On rare occasions that it descends to lowland usually occurs in open scrubby or rocky areas.

Behavior

Breeding

The Alpine Accentor is polygynandrous (multiple males and females involved in a partnership) and in the Swiss Alps, groups consisted of 3-5 males that defended a territory containing 2-3 separately nesting and spatially separated females (Heer 1996). Young can be sired by any of the males but more dominant males have greater access to females (Heer 1996).

Breeding begins late May in Europe, nest is a cup of plant stems lined with moss and feathers in a rocky crevice, often sheltered by a bush. Eggs: 3-4 (rarely 5-6), pale blue (23 x 17mm). Incubated by both sexes for 15 days. Nestlings are mainly tended by the female, but up to four males will help to feed the nestlings (Heer 1996). Young fledge after 16 days. Double-brooded.

Diet

Insects and their larvae and other smal invertebrates.

Voice

Call

A rolling truririp and a sparrow-like chirrup.

Song

Resembles Dunnock, but more musical. <flashmp3>Prunella collaris (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program

External Links

Search for photos of Alpine Accentor in the gallery