Great Sparrow
Passer motitensis
Dry thornveld. Grey crown; chestnut nape, back and wings with small white wing-bar; male only with conspicuous black bib.
Queleas, Sparrows, Weavers
LC
Near Endemic
Description
Uncommon, near-endemic resident. Most resembles House Sparrow but is larger and more brightly coloured, and has a rufous (not grey) rump and a more restricted black bib (variable). The call is typically sparrow-like: ‘chirrup, chirroo, t-t-t-t-trs’. Pairs occur in dry thornveld regions, seldom near human settlements, differing in this respect from [House Sparrow] and [Cape Sparrow].
Quick Facts
Size
15-16 cm - S
Names
A: Grootmossie
Ss: Serobele-Se-Seholo
G: Rotbrauner Sperling, Rostsperling, Riesensperling
Bird Family
A very large group of conical-billed, mainly seed-eating birds. Many breed colonially and weave complicated nests that aid identification.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Pairs occur in dry thornveld regions, seldom near human settlements, differing in this respect from [House Sparrow] and [Cape Sparrow].
