Northern grey-headed sparrow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern grey-headed sparrow |
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| P. g. ugandae Semliki Wildlife Reserve, Uganda |
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| P. g. griseus Senegal |
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The northern grey-headed sparrow (Passer griseus) is a common bird found across much of tropical Africa. It is also known simply as the grey-headed sparrow. This bird lives in many open areas, including forests and places where people live. It often fills the same role in nature as the house sparrow does in other parts of the world.
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What Does the Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Look Like?
The adult northern grey-headed sparrow has a light grey head. It also has a white stripe that looks like a mustache. Its upper body is light brown, and its belly is whitish. The wings are a chestnut color with a small white patch on the shoulder.
Both male and female sparrows look very similar. Young birds are a bit duller in color. They also do not have the white patch on their wings. There are three different types, or subspecies, of this bird. They mostly differ in how dark their heads are.
Where Do These Sparrows Live?
These sparrows usually stay in the same area all year round. However, they might move a little bit during different seasons. Outside of the time when they are raising young, they can form groups of up to 50 birds.
Reproduction and Nests
Northern grey-headed sparrows build their nests in various places. They make a cup-shaped nest in trees. They also build nests in thatched roofs or use old nests made by other birds. A female sparrow usually lays 2 to 4 eggs at a time.
What Do Northern Grey-headed Sparrows Eat?
Like many other sparrows, this bird mainly eats seeds and grains. But they also like to eat insects. They especially enjoy eating termites. This is very important when they are feeding their young birds.
What Sounds Do They Make?
The northern grey-headed sparrow makes several different sounds. Their calls include simple "cheeps" and "chirps." When they sense danger, they make a typical sparrow "churring" sound. This sound warns other birds that something might be wrong.
Related Sparrow Species
In eastern and southern Africa, you might find birds that look very similar. These birds are sometimes thought to be types of the northern grey-headed sparrow. Some of these close relatives include Swainson's sparrow, the parrot-billed sparrow, the Swahili sparrow, and the southern grey-headed sparrow.
