Alpine Accentor
Scientific Name: Prunella collarisMaltese Name: Ziemel ta' l-Alpi
Family: Accentors (Prunellidae)
Occurence: Very Rare
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Alpine Accentor, is a passerine bird found throughout the mountains of southern temperate Europe and Asia at heights above 2000 m. It is mainly resident, wintering more widely at lower latitudes, but some birds wander as rare vagrants as far as Great Britain. It is a bird of bare mountain areas with some low vegetation. It builds a neat nest low in a bush or rock crevice, laying 3-5 unspotted sky-blue eggs. It is larger than its relative, the Dunnock. It has a streaked brown back, somewhat resembling a House Sparrow, but adults have a grey head and red-brown spotting on the underparts. It has an insectivore's fine pointed bill.
Status:
Very Rare Autumn/Winter migrant. 27 records of this species.
When to See:
Most records in October/November. Some in December and January.
Where to See:
Mostly seen in areas with undisturbed garigue such as Ta' Cenc.
Photographs:
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1 of 3 Alpine Accentor, 7th November 1985, Ta' Cenc |
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1 of 3 Alpine Accentor and Dunnock, 7th November 1985, Ta' Cenc |
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1 of 3 Alpine Accentor, 7th November 1985, Ta' Cenc |
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