Birds · Passeriformes · Prunellidae

Alpine Accentor

Prunella collaris

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The alpine accentor is a passerine bird of the family Prunellidae seen on rocky slopes and high mountain meadows. In winter its range is wider and includes lower altitudes. It has a grey head, a yellowish bill, dark wings and streaked, rufous underparts and flanks. In shape and behaviour it resembles the dunnock, but it is larger.

Weight

30 g – 45 g

Size

15 cm – 18 cm

Lifespan

9 years

Diet

Insectivore

Feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

MountainTundraInsectivore Diurnal Bird Mountain Tundra

15countries 33parks1same family

Fun facts

It lives in polygynandry: groups of three or four males and three or four females that all mate with each other, in which each male feeds the chicks of the nests where he has copulated. The males' testes are enormous in proportion to the body because of the intensity of sperm competition.
It is one of the highest-breeding birds in Europe: in the Alps and the Himalayas it is found above 4,000 metres.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bird)
Habitat & environment: Scree, rocky outcrops and alpine meadows above the treeline; in winter it drops to middle altitudes
Sexual maturity: 12 months
Gestation / incubation: 15 days of incubation
Litter / clutch size: 4 eggs

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunella_collaris