Bird
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow
Passer griseusAlso known as Grey-headed Sparrow, Common Grey-headed Sparrow
Northern grey-headed sparrows thrive alongside human settlements across tropical Africa, filling the exact commensal niche occupied by house sparrows elsewhere. Flocks forage actively on the ground for scattered seeds, household crumbs, and fallen grain, maintaining contact with continuous cheerful chirps. They build untidy, domed grass nests under thatched roofs, in tree hollows, or tucked beneath building eaves, breeding opportunistically after local rains.
Urban WildlifeSocialAdaptable
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyGrass Seeds, Cereal Grains, Termites
Predators
- Domestic Cat
- Black Kite
- African Goshawk
ThreatsPesticide application, severe droughts, and occasional predation by domestic cats
HabitatsSavannas, open woodlands, agricultural fields, towns, and village gardens
Life span3–6 years in the wild
Classification
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilyPasseridae
- GenusPasser
- SpeciesPasser griseus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Look around outdoor dining areas, grain mills, and farmsteads where birds scavenge openly.
- Identification: Check for a uniform pale grey head paired with an unstreaked rufous-brown back and pale throat.
- Field Etiquette: Maintain quiet movement to view family groups foraging unhurriedly on low perches or lawns.
Same Genus (c) jraus, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Neighbor (c) Bernard DUPONT, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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Backyard Birds
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