Dunnocks in Austria
When the Dunnock (Prunella modularis) is present in Austria, when it nests, and which native Austria plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Austria
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–July
- Size
- 14 cm, 21 g
- Nest box
- Does not use enclosed boxes
When to expect dunnocks in Austria
The Dunnock lives in Austria all year round. Cold, snowy winters, especially at altitude.
Continental and Alpine; most of the country is mountainous.
Nesting in Austria
In Austria the Dunnock usually nests April–July. Nest site: cup deep in hedges or shrubs. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days; chicks fledge after 11–12 days, and pairs raise 2–3 per year.
- The Dunnock does not use enclosed nest boxes — dense native shrubs and climbers give it nest sites.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Austria plants for dunnocks
Of the native plants we track for Austria, these 8 provide food the Dunnock uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Goldfinches extract the seeds from standing heads in autumn and winter.
Early-summer cherries for Blackbirds and Jays.
Windfalls sustain thrushes and Fieldfares into winter.
Feeding in the garden
Insects and small seeds picked from the ground.
- Best foods: Sunflower hearts, Suet pellets, Crushed peanuts.
- Feeders: Ground tray.
- Shuffles mouse-like under feeders; scatter food near shrub cover.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are dunnocks in Austria all year?
Yes — the Dunnock is resident in Austria all year.
When do dunnocks nest in Austria?
Typically April–July. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days, with 2–3 per year.
Which native plants help dunnocks in Austria?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Bramble, Teasel, Wild cherry, Crab apple are native to Austria and provide food or cover the Dunnock uses.
Dunnocks in other countries
Other garden birds in Austria
Sources
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.