Swainson's sparrow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swainson's sparrow |
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| Near Debre Libanos, Ethiopia | |
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The Swainson's sparrow (Passer swainsonii) is a small bird that belongs to the sparrow family. These birds are found in northeastern Africa, mostly in the Ethiopian Highlands. This sparrow was named after William John Swainson, an English naturalist and artist. Sometimes, people think it's a type of grey-headed sparrow, but it's usually seen as its own unique species.
Contents
What Does the Swainson's Sparrow Look Like?
The Swainson's sparrow is about 16 centimeters (6.3 inches) long. It's a medium-sized bird.
Colors and Markings
Both male and female Swainson's sparrows look very similar. It's hard to tell them apart just by looking at their feathers. This is called having no sexual dimorphism.
These sparrows are often darker than the grey-headed sparrow. Their head and shoulders are especially dark. They might have a white stripe on their shoulder, but it's not always easy to see. Their tail and lower back can be a light reddish-brown color, but this also isn't always visible.
Where Do Swainson's Sparrows Live?
Swainson's sparrows live in the highlands of Ethiopia and Somalia. You can also find them in parts of Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Kenya. They are quite common in most of these areas. Some groups of these sparrows move to different places depending on the season.
Preferred Homes and Habitats
These sparrows like to live in many different places. They can be found in mountains, marshy areas, and open forests. They also live in savannas and grassy areas with shrubs.
However, they are most often seen near people. They live in towns and cities and the areas around them. In Eritrea, they usually live on open plateaus about 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) above sea level. In Ethiopia, they can be found in areas from 1,200 to 4,500 meters (3,900 to 14,800 feet) above sea level.
In Ethiopian towns, the Swainson's sparrow is very common. It's like the house sparrow that you see in many parts of Europe and Asia.
What Do Swainson's Sparrows Eat?
Swainson's sparrows mainly eat seeds from grasses and cereals. They also enjoy eating insects.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Swainson's sparrows build their nests from grass and feathers. Their nests are often loose and round.
Nesting Habits
They can build nests on tree branches or in the tops of palm trees. They also use holes in trees. Sometimes, they even use empty spaces in buildings. They are known to use old nests built by other birds, like the Ethiopian swallow and the African sand martin. There was even one time when they were seen removing baby African sand martins to take over their nest!
A female sparrow usually lays three to six eggs. The eggs are white with brown and gray spots.
Breeding Seasons
In Eritrea, Swainson's sparrows breed from January to March and again from May to November. In Ethiopia, they can breed from April to December.
Living in Flocks
When it's not breeding season, these sparrows live in large groups. These groups can have hundreds of birds! Big groups like this can sometimes cause damage to farms and gardens if they visit those areas.
Images for kids
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Near Debre Libanos, Ethiopia
