Quote:
Originally Posted by goosey
.........Did you mean House Sparrow, because you mentioned Dunnocks?
Hedge sparrows was another name for Dunnock (Prunella modularis). Although dunnocks are not actually members of the sparrow family at all, and are infact members of the Accentor family.The proper English name for them was Hedge Accentor before Dunnock became the new common name  . |
This has come up elsewhere much to everyone's confusion. I have books over 80 years old and the term 'hedge accentor' is in none of them. It was called the hedge sparrow (wrongly, of course) but for the last forty years I've know it as a dunnock!
I think this name 'hedge accentor' has been invented to show its relationship to the 'alpine accentor' (
Prunella collaris) which is common in Europe and elsewhere.
BTO BirdFacts - Alpine Accentor
So, yes, I meant house sparrows!
PS: I do wish they wouldn't give animals the same names of plants (
Prunella - most confusing!