The Dunnock is a European bird. It is resident in north-west Europe from Germany, through France to northern Spain and including the British Isles but is migratory in most of the rest of Europe breeding in Scandinavia, eastern Europe and Russia while wintering in southern Europe and into Turkey.

It feeds mainly on insects found primarily on the ground but also eats seeds in winter.

It is generally difficult to see as it keeps in or close to cover but, when courting in the spring, can become very visible.