The South Sudan House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a small bird in the Passeridae family of sparrows.
The South Sudan House Sparrow is small with a short, thick greyish-black beak, light beige legs, and a short tail. The male has black, white, and brown feathers, with grey underparts. The female has more grey feathers on her back than the male. The male has a dark-grey crown and a black patch on its throat. The female has no black markings or dark-grey crown. The female has a V-shaped mark on her chest that looks like necklace.
It grows to about 16 centimetres (6 inches) tall.
The House Sparrow is found in most parts of the world. The South Sudan House Sparrow is found in South Sudan. It prefers woodlands, grasslands, and locations near human activity. It flits in and around bushes and small trees.
It is not migratory, and does not travel far from the nest. Therefore, it is residential.
It feeds on grains and weeds, as well as small insects. It feeds on the ground. Its predators include cats, owls, hawks, and mammals.
It is a social bird and lives in small flocks.
The male makes a domed nest in buildings, tree hollows, and cliffs. The female lays 4-5 eggs, which hatch after 11-14 days. Both parents feed the chicks. The young birds stay in the nest for 11-23 days.
Location of photographs: Juba, South Sudan
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM