Dead Sea sparrow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dead Sea sparrow |
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| Male (above) and female (below) in south-eastern Turkey | |
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The Dead Sea sparrow (Passer moabiticus) is a small bird that belongs to the Old World sparrow family. These sparrows live in parts of the Middle East. There is also a special group, called a subspecies, that lives in western Afghanistan and eastern Iran. This eastern group is sometimes known as Yate's sparrow.
Contents
What Does the Dead Sea Sparrow Look Like?
Size and Differences Between Males and Females
The Dead Sea sparrow is a small bird. It is about 12 to 13 centimeters (around 5 inches) long. This makes it about 4 centimeters (1.5 inches) shorter than the common house sparrow.
Like many birds, male and female Dead Sea sparrows look different. This is called sexual dimorphism. Males have brighter and more distinct colors than females.
Male Dead Sea Sparrow's Appearance
Male Dead Sea sparrows have a grey head, neck, and cheeks. They have a small black patch under their chin, called a bib. A pale stripe, called a supercilium, runs above their eye. This stripe turns a yellowish-brown color towards the back. Their neck sides are yellow. The top part of their body is reddish-brown with dark streaks. Their belly and chest are grey-white.
Female Dead Sea Sparrow's Appearance
Female Dead Sea sparrows look a bit like a small house sparrow. They have a streaky brown back. Their head is greyish, and their underparts are buff-white. Females are usually paler than house sparrows. They also have a smaller beak. Sometimes, you can see a bit of yellow on their neck sides.
Eastern Subspecies Differences
The eastern subspecies, P. m. yatii, looks a bit sandier. The male of this group also has a yellowish tint on its underparts.
What Does It Sound Like?
The song of the Dead Sea sparrow sounds like chirping. It is similar to the songs of house sparrows and Spanish sparrows, but it is softer. When they fly, they make a high-pitched call that sounds like chi-wit. These birds are often quiet.
Where Do Dead Sea Sparrows Live?
Main Areas and Expansion
Dead Sea sparrows live in specific areas of the Middle East. They are often found along the Jordan River and the Euphrates River. Their range stretches from southern Turkey and Cyprus to the southwestern part of Iran. The subspecies P. m. yatii breeds only in the Sistan region. This area is in southwestern Afghanistan and eastern Iran.
Even though they are named after the Dead Sea, scientists found more groups of these birds further east. Their known living areas grew during the second half of the 20th century.
Dead Sea Sparrows in Cyprus
The Dead Sea sparrow was first seen on the island of Cyprus in 1973. They started breeding there a few years later. Changes to their living areas reduced their numbers in Cyprus. However, it is believed that small groups still breed there.
Migration and Winter Habits
These sparrows often move around after their breeding season. This is called migration or dispersal. The eastern subspecies spends its winters in western Pakistan. However, where the western subspecies goes for winter is mostly unknown. When people look for them in winter near their breeding areas, they only find small groups. It is possible they spread out widely in winter. Flocks have been seen further south and east in winter. This includes places like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Genetic Connections and Adaptations
Scientists studied the genes of these birds in Israel. They found that different groups of sparrows are connected. This means birds move between these groups. Even with this movement, sparrows in northern Israel have longer wings and are heavier. This is compared to those in the south. This suggests they adapt to their local environment. This follows a rule called Bergmann's rule.
How Do Dead Sea Sparrows Behave?
What They Eat
Like other sparrows, this species mainly eats seeds.
Where They Build Nests
Dead Sea sparrows build their nests in dry, low-lying areas. These areas usually have some shrubs, like tamarisk trees. They also need access to water. They build their nests in trees. A female sparrow usually lays four to seven eggs.
