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Parrot-billed Sparrow

Parrot-billed Sparrow

Passer gongonensis

Photo © Summer J. Smentek

Photo © Summer J. Smentek — CC BY 4.0 — Source: iNaturalist #223930316

ABOUT

The parrot-billed sparrow (Passer gongonensis) is found in the arid lowlands of eastern Africa. At 18 centimetres (7.1 in) and 42 grams (1.5 oz), it is the largest of the sparrows of the family Passeridae. It is often considered a subspecies of the grey-headed sparrow.

HOTSPOTS

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Aberdare National Park

Mweiga ward·Kenya

+394 birds+30 mammals

Amboseli National Park

Etonet/Lenkism ward·Kenya

+501 birds+43 mammals

Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve

+383 birds+29 mammals

Chyulu Hills National Park

Kibwezi East·Kenya

+232 birds+30 mammals

Hell’s Gate National Park

Olkaria ward·Kenya

+388 birds+18 mammals

Kidepo Valley National Park

+478 birds+24 mammals

Lake Manyara National Park

+575 birds+37 mammals

Lake Nakuru National Park

Nakuru West·Kenya

+494 birds+32 mammals

Meru National Park

Igembe Central·Kenya

+408 birds+38 mammals

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Where to see & photograph the Parrot-billed Sparrow (11 more) →

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Biological profile

Parrot-billed Sparrow

A compact view of how this species lives, moves and responds to its environment.

The species at a glance

Select a card to explore the details.

Movement

Does it remain in the same area?: It generally remains in the same region
Do its movements change with the seasons?: Yes, they follow a seasonal cycle
Do all populations follow the same calendar?: Yes, broadly speaking

Activity

When is it active?: Mainly active by day
Does it have inactive periods?: No known inactive period

How to detect it

Is it easy to find?: It takes some patience
How can you detect it?: AcousticVisual
Does it tend to hide?: It hides in some situations
Do you need a specific technique?: Usually not
Which seasonal signs help?: Vocal Display

Habitat

Which environment does it live in?: Terrestrial
Which places does it prefer?: Shrubland
Can it adapt to different habitats?: It tolerates some variety of habitats
At what level of the habitat does it move?: Ground

Feeding

What kind of food does it eat?: Granivore
How does it get its food?: Ground Foraging

Social life

Does it usually live alone or in a group?: It usually lives in small groups
Does it gather at certain times?: Feeding

Reproduction

How does it breed?: Dispersed
Where does it breed?: Shrub
Key moments in its annual cycle: Egg Laying · Annual Cycle ConsistentHatching · Annual Cycle ConsistentFledging · Annual Cycle Consistent

Spatial ecology

Does it defend a territory?: Yes, it defends a territory
How far does it usually travel?: Within a local area
In which major regions does it live?: Afrotropical

Environmental response

Does its calendar change from place to place?: It changes little between places

Sensitivity

Is it affected by human disturbance?: Observe it calmly and keep your distance
When does it need the most space?: Nest

Global profile. Local behaviour and timing may vary.

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