Rock Sparrow
A species of Rock Sparrows, Also known as Rock Petronia Scientific name : Petronia petronia Genus : Rock Sparrows
Rock Sparrow, A species of Rock Sparrows
Also known as:
Rock Petronia
Botanical name: Petronia petronia
Genus: Rock Sparrows
Content
Description General Info
Description
The rock sparrow is similar in size to a house sparrow but with a larger more conical bill. It is around 14 cm (5.5 in) in length, with a strong whitish supercilium and weaker crown stripe. It has a patterned brown back and wings, streaked underparts, and a diagnostic, but hard-to-see, yellow throat spot. Petronia petronia are monochromatic, with a distinctive yellow patch on their upper breast that starkly contrasts the earth tones of their plumage. This carotenoid-based trait is present in both sexes, and plays an important role during the breeding season, signalling both attractiveness and social status. This bird has a loud wheezy song. 
Size
16 cm
Feeding Habits
Rock Sparrow primarily forages on the ground, consuming seeds year-round and berries in autumn. In spring, their diet consists of invertebrates like caterpillars and grasshoppers, which also nourish their young.
Habitat
Rock Sparrow typically inhabits generally treeless, bare country including flat desert steppes and rocky slopes and ravines, which can be found at elevations up to 4800 meters. These birds are common in open woodlands or parklands, especially in regions dominated by maritime pine. They adapt well to anthropogenic landscapes, often seen in large, open cultivated fields, vineyards, and olive groves. Rock Sparrow even ventures into old buildings and is known to frequent human settlements, reflecting its versatile nature in choosing nesting and foraging sites.
Dite type
Granivorous
General Info
Distribution Area
It is a rare vagrant north of its breeding range. There is just a single record from Great Britain, at Cley, Norfolk on 14 June 1981. This gregarious bird is also found in human settlements in suitable country.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Old world sparrows Genus
Rock Sparrows Species
Rock Sparrow 
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