Northern grey-headed sparrow

The northern grey-headed sparrow, also known simply as the grey-headed sparrow, is a delightful bird species native to tropical Africa. These sparrows thrive in a variety of open habitats and bear a striking resemblance to the house sparrow commonly found in Eurasia.

You can identify a northern grey-headed sparrow by its pale grey head, white moustache stripe, brown upperparts, whitish underparts, and chestnut wings accented with a distinctive white shoulder patch. Interestingly, there are three subspecies of these sparrows, each showcasing slight variations in their plumage.

While they mostly remain within their native range, these sparrows exhibit some seasonal movement and are known to form flocks outside the breeding season. For nesting, they construct cup-shaped nests in trees, thatch, or even in old nests of other birds, typically laying between 2 to 4 eggs.

Their diet primarily consists of seeds and grains, but they also consume insects, particularly termites, when feeding their young.

In terms of communication, these sparrows produce a variety of sounds, including cheeps, chirps, and a characteristic sparrow churring alarm call. In regions such as eastern and southern Africa, birds like Swainson's sparrow, the parrot-billed sparrow, the Swahili sparrow, and the southern grey-headed sparrow are considered relatives of this species.

Phylogenetic studies have revealed that the northern grey-headed sparrow is closely related to other grey-headed sparrows and shares a close kinship with the house sparrow and its allies within the genus Passer.