The accentors, the Prunellidae, are small, fairly drab species superficially similar, but unrelated to, sparrows; they are generally regarded as being related to the thrushes or the warblers.
Accentors have thin sharp bills, reflecting their diet of ground-dwelling insects in summer, augmented with seeds and berries in winter. They may also swallow grit and sand to help their stomach break up these seeds.
Their typical habitat is mountainous regions in an area far above the tree-line, but below the snow-line. Most of the species live together in flocks, like other members of Prunellidae.
In North America the Siberian Accentor, Prunella montanella strays to Alaska.