The Northern Grey-Headed Sparrow (Passer griseus) is a small common and widespread passerine songbird. It is related to the House Sparrow.
The Northern Grey-Headed Sparrow has a pale grey head with a white moustache stripe, pale brown upperparts, whitish underparts and chestnut wings with a small white shoulder patch. The sexes are similar.
Northern Grey-Headed Sparrow
It measures about 16 centimetres (6 inches) tall.
The Northern Grey-Headed Sparrow is native to tropical Africa. It prefers open woodlands and areas near human activity. It is residential, and does not migrate. There is also a Southern Grey-Headed Sparrow (Passer diffusus) from South Africa.
It feeds on seeds and grain, and sometimes insects, such as termites.
It is often seen in small flocks of up to 50 individuals.
The female Northern Grey-Headed Sparrow lays 2-4 eggs in a cup-shaped nest in a tree.
Northern Grey-Headed Sparrow
Northern Grey-Headed Sparrow
Northern Grey-Headed Sparrow
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM