Northern Grey-headed Sparrow
A species of Old World Sparrows Scientific name : Passer griseus Genus : Old World Sparrows
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, A species of Old World Sparrows
Botanical name: Passer griseus
Genus: Old World Sparrows
Content
Description General Info
Photo By ChriKo , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The northern grey-headed sparrow (Passer griseus), also known as the grey-headed sparrow, is a species of bird in the sparrow family Passeridae, which is resident in much of tropical Africa. It occurs in a wide range of open habitats, including open woodlands and human habitation, often occupying the same niche as the house sparrow does in Eurasia. The adult northern grey-headed sparrow has a pale grey head with a white moustache stripe, pale brown upperparts, whitish underparts and chestnut wings with a small white shoulder patch. The sexes are similar, but young birds are slightly duller and lack the white wing patch. There are three subspecies, differing in plumage tone, especially with regard to the darkness of the head. This sparrow is mainly resident in its range, but there is some seasonal movement, and flocks of up to 50 birds form outside the breeding season. It builds a cup nest in trees, thatch, or old nests of other birds; 2–4 eggs are laid. This species feeds principally on seeds and grain, like other sparrows, but will readily take insects including termites, especially when feeding young. The calls include cheeps and chirps, and the typical sparrow churring alarm call. The northern grey-headed sparrow is replaced in eastern and southern Africa by very similar birds that are sometimes considered races of this species: Swainson's sparrow, the parrot-billed sparrow, the Swahili sparrow, and the southern grey-headed sparrow. According to phylogenetic studies by Arnaiz-Villena et al., this species is indeed related to the other grey-headed sparrows, and these species together are most closely related within genus Passer to the house sparrow and allies.
Size
15 cm
Feeding Habits
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow primarily consumes seeds from grasses and cereals. Urban northern Grey-headed Sparrow may eat household scraps. Nestlings are fed insects like weevils and grasshoppers. They forage in pairs or groups, and in urban areas, they scavenge insects attracted to lights.
Habitat
The northern Grey-headed Sparrow, or 'Northern Grey-headed Sparrow', typically occupies environments close to human settlements, including cultivated lands. It is also prevalent in grassland savannas and lightly wooded areas, favoring less arid regions compared to some closely related species. In zones where it coexists with similar species, the northern Grey-headed Sparrow shows a stronger affinity for areas influenced by human habitation.
Dite type
Granivorous
General Info
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Photo By ChriKo , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Old world sparrows Genus
Old World Sparrows Species
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow