Spanish sparrow

The Spanish Sparrow, often referred to as the Willow Sparrow, is a charming little bird from the sparrow family, Passeridae. These birds can be spotted in the Mediterranean region, as well as in southwest and central Asia. They closely resemble house sparrows and even interbreed with them in the Mediterranean, complicating their classification.

Male Spanish Sparrows are distinctive with their heavily streaked underparts, chestnut-colored crowns, and white cheeks. Females, by contrast, resemble female house sparrows but display more pronounced markings.

There are two subspecies of the Spanish Sparrow: the western and eastern varieties, each exhibiting slight differences in plumage. Their calls are similar to those of house sparrows, with different sounds used for various activities.

These birds inhabit the Mediterranean, Macaronesia, and parts of Asia, with a somewhat complex breeding range. They prefer moist environments and are often found in the company of house sparrows. Spanish Sparrows are social creatures, forming groups for breeding and flocking together. Their diet primarily consists of seeds, insects, fruits, and plant materials.

During the breeding season, Spanish Sparrows establish colonies with nests located close to each other, often in trees or bushes. They lay between 3 to 8 eggs per clutch, and the chicks fledge after about 14 days. There are an estimated 17 to 74 million Spanish Sparrows worldwide, with about 2.8 to 6.2 million breeding pairs in Europe alone. Although their numbers are declining in some areas, they are currently listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List, indicating they are not at immediate risk of extinction.