Passeriformes Prunellidae Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris)
[order] Passeriformes | [family] Prunellidae | [latin] Prunella collaris | [UK] Alpine Accentor | [FR] Accenteur alpin | [DE] Alpenbraunelle | [ES] Acentor alpino | [IT] Sordone | [NL] Alpenheggemus
Physical charateristics
Larger and much more robust than any other accentor. Quite strong billed, bulky, with form somewhat recalling lark or pipit.
Plumage patterned as Hedge Accentor but more colorful, being basically dull blue-grey, with mottled brown back, white-edged black panel across forewing, white-speckled throat, rufous-splashed flanks, and white-tipped dark brown tail.
Sexes similar, little seasonal variation.
Plumage patterned as Hedge Accentor but more colorful, being basically dull blue-grey, with mottled brown back, white-edged black panel across forewing, white-speckled throat, rufous-splashed flanks, and white-tipped dark brown tail.
Sexes similar, little seasonal variation.
| wingspan min.: | 30 | cm | wingspan max.: | 33 | cm |
| size min.: | 17 | cm | size max.: | 19 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 13 | days | incubation max.: | 15 | days |
| fledging min.: | 0 | days | fledging max.: | 0 | days |
| broods: | 1 | eggs min.: | 3 | ||
| eggs max.: | 4 |
Distribution
Prunella collaris is a widespread but patchily distributed resident in mountainous
areas of central and southern Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global
range. Its European breeding population is relatively large (>100,000 pairs), and
was stable between 1970-1990. Although there was no trend information available
for the sizeable populations in Spain, France, Italy and Russia, trends elsewhere in
Europe during 1990-2000 were stable, and the species probably remained stable
overall.
areas of central and southern Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global
range. Its European breeding population is relatively large (>100,000 pairs), and
was stable between 1970-1990. Although there was no trend information available
for the sizeable populations in Spain, France, Italy and Russia, trends elsewhere in
Europe during 1990-2000 were stable, and the species probably remained stable
overall.
Listen to the sound of Alpine Accentor
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
Habitat
Breeds exclusively in mountain ranges of middle latitudes, from 1800 m up to snow line, in some places up to 4000 m.
Encounters accordingly low temperatures and exposed conditions, although apparently choosing sunniest available site. Patches of alpine grassland strewn copiously with boulders or large stones, often on flat plateaux but sometimes on slopes or scree, and almost always well above tree line and relatively free of shrub growth. Nest sites are often restricted to particular rocky slopes and non-vegetated areas which were invariably free from snow each year due to the effects of strong winds and the topography.
Encounters accordingly low temperatures and exposed conditions, although apparently choosing sunniest available site. Patches of alpine grassland strewn copiously with boulders or large stones, often on flat plateaux but sometimes on slopes or scree, and almost always well above tree line and relatively free of shrub growth. Nest sites are often restricted to particular rocky slopes and non-vegetated areas which were invariably free from snow each year due to the effects of strong winds and the topography.
Foraging habits
Diet based on insects, plus significant proportion of plant seeds. Food taken principally on ground, bird moving with quick small hops or walking quietly.
Sometimes makes aerial sallies and will chase active prey on foot. Can hover for short periods
Sometimes makes aerial sallies and will chase active prey on foot. Can hover for short periods
copyright Jorge Falagan
Breeding habits
Breeding from May-Jul in Pyrenees and Alps. The nest is loosely made of grass, leaves and stems, with neat inner cup of moss lined with hair and feathers. Clutch size 3-4 eggs, the incubation period is 14-15 days and theeggs are incubated by both sexes.
Males competed for access to fertile females within their group territory. The females copulated promiscuously with all or several males within their breeding group.
Fertile females actively solicit copulation. A female approaches a male, crouches with her breast touching the ground, lifts her tail to expose a bright red, swollen cloaca, quivers her tail from side to side, and shivers her wings.
Each female holds a small territory around her own nest within the larger group territory. The female performed most of the parental care. Usually, 1-4 males helped feeding the young. multiple paternity occurred with up to three males siring offspring within one clutch. Females showed a nest-site fidelity for successive years.
Males competed for access to fertile females within their group territory. The females copulated promiscuously with all or several males within their breeding group.
Fertile females actively solicit copulation. A female approaches a male, crouches with her breast touching the ground, lifts her tail to expose a bright red, swollen cloaca, quivers her tail from side to side, and shivers her wings.
Each female holds a small territory around her own nest within the larger group territory. The female performed most of the parental care. Usually, 1-4 males helped feeding the young. multiple paternity occurred with up to three males siring offspring within one clutch. Females showed a nest-site fidelity for successive years.
Conservation
This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 10,000,000 km². It has a large global population, including an estimated 200,000-330,000 individuals in Europe (BirdLife International in prep.). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern. (source Birdlife.org)
Migration
Resident or subject to local altitudinal or more distant movements. Most descend in winter below snowline or seek snow-free patches. Wintering in lowland southern Europe apparently widespread though birds presumably sparsely distributed and occurrences perhaps irregular. A weak but distinct southerly movement occurs through several Alpine passes in October. In France, birds from Alps reach Basse-Provence and Côte d‘Azur. Upland breeding areas start to be fully reoccupied from mid-March, but mainly April.
Vagrants occur west and north to Britain and Fenno-Scandia. Less regular now in Britain than previously: only 10 records in period 1958-95, though total of 29 before that; mostly August-January, with a few March-June.
Vagrants occur west and north to Britain and Fenno-Scandia. Less regular now in Britain than previously: only 10 records in period 1958-95, though total of 29 before that; mostly August-January, with a few March-June.
Distribution map breeding season
Distribution map wintering season
Literature
Title Cooperative Breeding by Alpine Accentors Prunella collaris:
Polygynandry, Territoriality and Multiple Paternity
Polygynandry, Territoriality and Multiple Paternity
Author(s): Lorenz Heer
Abstract: The composition of breeding groups, territoriality..[more]..
Source: Journal fur Ornithologie 137, 1996
Title Cloacal protuberance and copulatory behavior of the Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris)
Author(s): Masahiko Nakamura
Abstract: I studied the cloacal protuberance and copulatory ..[more]..
Source: The Auk 107: 284-295. April 1990
Title Female control of copulations to maximize male help: a comparison of
polygynandrous alpine accentors, Prunella collaris, and dunnocks,
P. modularis
polygynandrous alpine accentors, Prunella collaris, and dunnocks,
P. modularis
Author(s): N. B. Davies, I. R. Hartley, B. J. Hatchwell & N. E. Langmore
Abstract: Alpine accentors and dunnocks bred in polygynandro..[more]..
Source: Anim. Behav., 1996, 51, 27-47
Title Feeding preferences and foraging behaviour in the Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris
Author(s): M. Janiga & M. Novotná
Abstract: In flocks of Alpine Accentors (Prunella collaris),..[more]..
Source: Ornis Fennica 83:170-180. 2006
Title Vancomycin Resistance Genes in Enterococcus spp. Strains Isolated
from Alpine Accentor and Chamois
from Alpine Accentor and Chamois
Author(s): A. JANOAKOVA and V. KMEE
Abstract: Enterococcus strains from highland animals the alp..[more]..
Source: ACTA VET. BRNO 2004, 73: 211-214
Title Territoriality and song as flexible paternity
guards in dunnocks and alpine accentors
guards in dunnocks and alpine accentors
Author(s): Naomi E. Langmore
Abstract: I compare paternity defense strategies in the vari..[more]..
Source: Behavioral Ecology Vol. 7 No. 2: 183-188
Title Susceptibility of Enterobacteriaceae from the Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris
Author(s): J. TIMKO, V. KMET
Abstract: Occurrence of bacterial species of the family Ente..[more]..
Source: ACTA VET. BRNO 2003, 72: 285-288
Title EVOLUTIONARY ASPECTS OF PARENTAL BEHAVIOR:
DISTRACTION BEHAVIOR OF THE ALPINE ACCENTOR
DISTRACTION BEHAVIOR OF THE ALPINE ACCENTOR
Author(s): DAVID P. BARASH
Abstract: Most animals that demonstrate parental care also e..[more]..
Source: THE WILSON BULLETIN l Vol. 87, No. 3, September 197