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;[[: Category:Petronia|Petronia]] petronia | ;[[: Category:Petronia|Petronia]] petronia | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | + | 14 - 15.5cm. A stout sparrow with a short tail and a robout bill: | |
| + | * Strong white supercilium and weaker crown stripe | ||
| + | * Patterned brown back and wings | ||
| + | * Diagnostic yellow throat-spot but often difficult to see | ||
| + | * In flight broad wings and white-tipped tail characteristic | ||
| + | Sexes similar. Juveniles are browner than adults and have no yellow throat-spot. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Western north [[Africa]], [[Spain]], and [[Portugal]] across southern [[Europe]] and through central [[Asia]]. | Western north [[Africa]], [[Spain]], and [[Portugal]] across southern [[Europe]] and through central [[Asia]]. | ||
| + | [[Image:Rs2 copy.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Note the yellow throat-spot<br />Photo by {{user|lior+kislev|lior kislev}}<br />Mount Hermon, Israel, June 2009]] | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | + | Six or sometimes seven subspecies are recognized: <sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup><sup>[[#References|2]]]</sup> | |
*''P. p. petronia'' (''madeirensis''): | *''P. p. petronia'' (''madeirensis''): | ||
:*[[Canary Islands]], [[Madeira]] and [[Europe]] to [[Bulgaria]] and western [[Asia]] Minor | :*[[Canary Islands]], [[Madeira]] and [[Europe]] to [[Bulgaria]] and western [[Asia]] Minor | ||
| Line 22: | Line 28: | ||
*''P. p. brevirostris'': | *''P. p. brevirostris'': | ||
:*Eastern [[Siberia]] to [[Mongolia]], north-western Manchuria and south-western [[China]] (northern Sichuan) | :*Eastern [[Siberia]] to [[Mongolia]], north-western Manchuria and south-western [[China]] (northern Sichuan) | ||
| + | ''Kirhizica'' is usually merged in ''intermedia''. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | + | Bare treeless country from rocky slopes and ravines to flat desert steppe. Also in open woodland or parkland and often in large open areas of cultivation, vineyards, olive groves or around old buildings. Occurs from sea-level up to 4800m. | |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
They can come together in large flocks outside of the breeding season. | They can come together in large flocks outside of the breeding season. | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
| − | + | Breeding season from March to August. Nests in loose colonies or isolated pairs. The nest is made of grass and placed in crevices in rocks or walls. Lays 4 - 7 eggs. | |
====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
Its diet includes mainly seeds with some insects. | Its diet includes mainly seeds with some insects. | ||
Revision as of 14:27, 24 July 2010
Alternative names: Rock Petronia; Common Rock-Sparrow; Eurasian Rock-Sparrow; European Rock-Sparrow; Streaked Rock-Sparrow
- Petronia petronia
Identification
14 - 15.5cm. A stout sparrow with a short tail and a robout bill:
- Strong white supercilium and weaker crown stripe
- Patterned brown back and wings
- Diagnostic yellow throat-spot but often difficult to see
- In flight broad wings and white-tipped tail characteristic
Sexes similar. Juveniles are browner than adults and have no yellow throat-spot.
Distribution
Western north Africa, Spain, and Portugal across southern Europe and through central Asia.
Taxonomy
Six or sometimes seven subspecies are recognized: [1]2]
- P. p. petronia (madeirensis):
- Canary Islands, Madeira and Europe to Bulgaria and western Asia Minor
- P. p. barbara:
- P. p. puteicola:
- P. p. exigua:
- P. p. kirhizica:
- Lower Volga River Valley to Turgay depression and Aral Sea
- P. p. intermedia:
- Transcaspia to eastern Iran, northern Afghanistan, Pamirs and western Kunlun Shan Mountains
- P. p. brevirostris:
Kirhizica is usually merged in intermedia.
Habitat
Bare treeless country from rocky slopes and ravines to flat desert steppe. Also in open woodland or parkland and often in large open areas of cultivation, vineyards, olive groves or around old buildings. Occurs from sea-level up to 4800m.
Behaviour
They can come together in large flocks outside of the breeding season.
Breeding
Breeding season from March to August. Nests in loose colonies or isolated pairs. The nest is made of grass and placed in crevices in rocks or walls. Lays 4 - 7 eggs.
Diet
Its diet includes mainly seeds with some insects.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Rock Sparrow. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 5 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Rock_Sparrow
External Links
The following link is likely to also find images of Pale Rock Sparrow.
