This is a family of birds endemic to the Old World. This small group song birds, except for the Dunnock and Japaneses accentor, are inhabitants of the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia; these two also occur in lowland areas, as does the Siberian accentor in the far north of Siberia. These birds are not strongly migratory, but they will leave the coldest parts of their range in winter and make altitudinal movements.

These are small, fairly drab species superficially similar, but not closely related to, sparrows. However, accentors have thin sharp bills, reflecting their diet of ground-dwelling insects in summer, augmented with small seeds and berries in winter. 

Most of the species live together in flocks. The dunnock is an exception since it prefers to be solitary except when feeding. The dunnock also earned a nickname of "shuffle-wing" since it most strongly displays the characteristic wing flicks used during courtship and other displays.

 
Did you know ???

• In most species, male and female share in nest making, with the dunnocks again being an exception; their males have no part in nest building or incubation.