Family:
The Alpine accentor is similar to the dunnock but larger. It has grey-brown upperparts with dark streaks and a distinctive black wing band. Its underparts are also grey-brown, with reddish-brown streaks along the flanks and a white throat patch marked with black bars. The head is grey, with a small yellow patch at the base of its black bill. Males and females have a similar appearance.
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Alpine accentors primarily feed on insects, their larvae, and other small invertebrates during spring and summer. In autumn and winter, they supplement their diet with seeds from alpine grasses and will also scavenge food waste around ski resorts.
The Alpine accentor is typically found above the treeline across southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. It prefers open, grassy areas with low vegetation and south-facing slopes with boulders. In winter, it is often seen near snow patches and around buildings. On rare occasions, when it descends to lower elevations, it may be found in open scrubland or rocky areas.
