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Difference between revisions of "Southern Grey-headed Sparrow" - BirdForum Opus

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[[Image:2007 04 21 07 57 451242.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Non-breeding Adult <br />Photo by {{user|Alan+Manson|Alan Manson}}<br />Pietermaritzburg, [[KwaZulu-Natal]], South Africa, April 2007 ]]
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[[Image:2007_09_03_Grey-headed_Sparrow_AlanManson.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Breeding Adult <br />Photo &copy; {{user|Alan+Manson|Alan Manson}}<br />Cedara Farm, [[KwaZulu-Natal]], South Africa, 3 September 2007]]
 
'''Alternative name: Cape Sparrow (which is usually used for ''[[Passer melanurus]]''!)'''
 
'''Alternative name: Cape Sparrow (which is usually used for ''[[Passer melanurus]]''!)'''
 
;[[:Category:Passer|Passer]] diffusus
 
;[[:Category:Passer|Passer]] diffusus
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
Length 15-16 cm, mass 24 g. The head is grey, the back brown, and the rump is bright rufous and conspicuous in flight.  The wings have short, but usually obvious white wingbars.  White to pale grey underparts. The eyes, legs and feet are brown, and the bill is black when breeding (horn when not breeding).<br />
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[[Image:2007 04 21 07 57 451242.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Non-breeding Adult <br />Photo &copy;  {{user|Alan+Manson|Alan Manson}}<br />Pietermaritzburg, [[KwaZulu-Natal]], South Africa, 21 April 2007]]
''P. d. stygiseps'' is darker above than the nominate with duller breast and flanks.
+
Length 15-16 cm, mass 24 g.<br />
 +
The head is grey, the back brown, and the rump is bright rufous and conspicuous in flight.  The wings have short, but usually obvious white wingbars.  White to pale grey underparts.<br />
 +
The eyes, legs and feet are brown, and the bill is black when breeding (horn when not breeding).<br />
 +
''P. d. stygiseps''  
 
====Similar species====
 
====Similar species====
 
In the northern extremity of its range (north of 19&deg; S), it is easily confused with the very similar [[Northern Grey-headed Sparrow]], which is slightly heavier with a longer tail and longer bill.  The [[Northern Grey-headed Sparrow]] is also darker, with a less-distinct wing-bar.
 
In the northern extremity of its range (north of 19&deg; S), it is easily confused with the very similar [[Northern Grey-headed Sparrow]], which is slightly heavier with a longer tail and longer bill.  The [[Northern Grey-headed Sparrow]] is also darker, with a less-distinct wing-bar.
[[Image:2007_09_03_Grey-headed_Sparrow_AlanManson.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Breeding Adult <br />Photo by {{user|Alan+Manson|Alan Manson}}<br />Cedara Farm, [[KwaZulu-Natal]], South Africa, September 2007 ]]
 
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
[[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], [[Swaziland]], [[Namibia]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[Mozambique]], [[Zambia]], southern [[Malawi]], south-western Angola and southeast [[Tanzania]].<br />
+
[[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], [[eSwatini]], [[Namibia]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[Mozambique]], [[Zambia]], southern [[Malawi]], south-western Angola and southeast [[Tanzania]].<br />
 
Common and widespread over most of its range.
 
Common and widespread over most of its range.
 +
 
==Taxonomy==
 
==Taxonomy==
Usually four, sometimes only two subspecies accepted:
+
Forms a [[Dictionary_P-S#S|superspecies]] with [[Northern Grey-headed Sparrow]], [[Swainson's Sparrow]], [[Parrot-billed Sparrow]] and [[Swahili Sparrow]]. All are often treated as [[Dictionary_A-C#C|conspecific]].
* ''P. d. diffusus'' in western and southern [[Angola]] east to [[Zambia]], south to [[Namibia]], [[Botswana]], western [[Zimbabwe]] and western [[South Africa]]
+
====Subspecies====
* ''P. d. luangwae'' in the upper Luangwa Valley in eastern [[Zambia]]
+
Usually four, sometimes only two subspecies accepted<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>:
* ''P. d. mosambicus'' in southeast [[Tanzania]] and northern [[Mozambique]] (sometimes also placed in [[Northern Grey-headed Sparrow]])
+
* ''P. d. diffusus'':
* ''P. d. stygiceps'' in southeast [[Zambia]], southern [[Malawi]], northern and eastern [[Zimbabwe]], most of [[Mozambique]], northeast and eastern [[South Africa]], [[Swaziland]] and [[Lesotho]]
+
:*Western and southern [[Angola]] east to [[Zambia]], south to [[Namibia]], [[Botswana]], western [[Zimbabwe]] and western [[South Africa]]
Forms a superspecies with [[Northern Grey-headed Sparrow]], [[Swainson's Sparrow]], [[Parrot-billed Sparrow]] and [[Swahili Sparrow]]. All are often treated as conspecific.
+
* ''P. d. luangwae'':
 +
:*In the upper Luangwa Valley in eastern [[Zambia]]
 +
* ''P. d. mosambicus'':
 +
:*Southeast [[Tanzania]] and northern [[Mozambique]] (sometimes also placed in [[Northern Grey-headed Sparrow]])
 +
* ''P. d. stygiceps'': is darker above than the nominate with duller breast and flanks.
 +
:*In southeast [[Zambia]], southern [[Malawi]], northern and eastern [[Zimbabwe]], most of [[Mozambique]], northeast and eastern [[South Africa]], [[eSwatini]] and [[Lesotho]]
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
 
Savanna woodland and plantation edges.  Often found near settlements and in cropping areas.
 
Savanna woodland and plantation edges.  Often found near settlements and in cropping areas.
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
Often solitary or in pairs, but can congregate in flocks of up to 200 in winter. Forages on the ground, often in mixed-species flocks of seed-eaters. Walks and hops. Food is mainly seeds, but also small fruit, nectar and insects.<br />
+
Often solitary or in pairs, but can congregate in flocks of up to 200 in winter.  
Breeds in all months of year, coinciding with local rains. A solitary breeder, sometimes also in loose colonies. The nest is made of dry grass and placed in a hole in a tree or a building. Competes with introduced [[House Sparrow]] for nest-sites. Lays 2 - 5 eggs.
+
====Diet====
 +
Forages on the ground, often in mixed-species flocks of seed-eaters. Walks and hops. Food is mainly seeds, but also small fruit, nectar and insects.
 +
====Breeding====
 +
Breeds in all months of year, coinciding with local rains. A solitary breeder, sometimes also in loose colonies. The nest is made of dry grass and placed in a hole in a tree or a building. Lays 2 - 5 eggs.
 +
 
 +
Competes with introduced [[House Sparrow]] for nest-sites.  
 
==References==
 
==References==
#{{Ref-Clements6thDec09}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}# Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. ''Robert's Birds of Southern Africa'', 7th edition. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. ISBN 0620340533
+
#{{Ref-Clements6thOct22}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}}#Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. ''Robert's Birds of Southern Africa'', 7th edition. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. ISBN 0620340533
 
{{ref}}
 
{{ref}}
 
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
{{GSearch|Passer+diffusus}}
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{{GSearch|"Passer diffusus" {{!}} "Southern Grey-headed Sparrow" {{!}} "Southern Gray-headed Sparrow" }}
 +
{{GS-checked}}1
  
 
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Passer]]
 
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Passer]]

Latest revision as of 04:37, 4 October 2023

Breeding Adult
Photo © Alan Manson
Cedara Farm, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 3 September 2007

Alternative name: Cape Sparrow (which is usually used for Passer melanurus!)

Passer diffusus

Identification

Non-breeding Adult
Photo © Alan Manson
Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 21 April 2007

Length 15-16 cm, mass 24 g.
The head is grey, the back brown, and the rump is bright rufous and conspicuous in flight. The wings have short, but usually obvious white wingbars. White to pale grey underparts.
The eyes, legs and feet are brown, and the bill is black when breeding (horn when not breeding).
P. d. stygiseps

Similar species

In the northern extremity of its range (north of 19° S), it is easily confused with the very similar Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, which is slightly heavier with a longer tail and longer bill. The Northern Grey-headed Sparrow is also darker, with a less-distinct wing-bar.

Distribution

South Africa, Lesotho, eSwatini, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, southern Malawi, south-western Angola and southeast Tanzania.
Common and widespread over most of its range.

Taxonomy

Forms a superspecies with Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, Swainson's Sparrow, Parrot-billed Sparrow and Swahili Sparrow. All are often treated as conspecific.

Subspecies

Usually four, sometimes only two subspecies accepted[1]:

  • P. d. diffusus:
  • P. d. luangwae:
  • In the upper Luangwa Valley in eastern Zambia
  • P. d. mosambicus:
  • P. d. stygiceps: is darker above than the nominate with duller breast and flanks.

Habitat

Savanna woodland and plantation edges. Often found near settlements and in cropping areas.

Behaviour

Often solitary or in pairs, but can congregate in flocks of up to 200 in winter.

Diet

Forages on the ground, often in mixed-species flocks of seed-eaters. Walks and hops. Food is mainly seeds, but also small fruit, nectar and insects.

Breeding

Breeds in all months of year, coinciding with local rains. A solitary breeder, sometimes also in loose colonies. The nest is made of dry grass and placed in a hole in a tree or a building. Lays 2 - 5 eggs.

Competes with introduced House Sparrow for nest-sites.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
  3. Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa, 7th edition. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. ISBN 0620340533

Recommended Citation

External Links

GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1

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