Passer swainsonii
Swainson's Sparrow (*Passer swainsonii*) is a robust, medium-sized Old World Sparrow endemic to the Horn of Africa, often found in close association with human settlements. Measuring approximately 14-16 cm (5.5-6.3 in) in length and weighing 22-35 g (0.8-1.2 oz), it presents a rather nondescript yet distinctive appearance. Its most notable field marks include a plain grey head, a prominent white supercilium that often appears slightly buff, and an unstreaked, pale buff to whitish breast and b...
This adaptable sparrow thrives in arid and semi-arid savannas, open woodlands, and bushlands, often preferring areas near human habitation, cultivation, and urban centers. It can be found from sea level up to elevations exceeding 3,000 meters in the Ethiopian Highlands.
The diet is predominantly granivorous, consisting mainly of seeds from various grasses and cultivated grains, supplemented with insects (especially during breeding) and occasionally buds or small fruits. They primarily forage by gleaning from the ground or low vegetation.
Swainson's Sparrows are highly diurnal, active from dawn to dusk, often roosting communally in trees or buildings outside the breeding season. Their foraging strategy primarily involves ground gleaning, where they diligently peck at seeds and insects from the soil, often seen in small to large fl...
The Swainson's Sparrow is a resident species, non-migratory throughout its extensive range in the Horn of Africa. Its primary breeding and year-round distribution encompasses Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, southeastern Sudan, and northern Kenya. In Ethiopia, it is particularly common and w...
Least Concern
- This sparrow was named after William Swainson, an English ornithologist, malacologist, conchologist, entomologist, and artist. - Despite its "sparrow" name, it belongs to the Old World Sparrow family (Passeridae), not the American sparrows (Passerellidae). - It is one of the few *Passer* specie...