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Spanish sparrow

    Spanish sparrow

    Passer hispaniolensis


Castilian: Gorrión moruno

Catalan: Pardal de passa

Gallego: Pardal mouro

Euskera:


CLASIFICACIÓN:

Orden: Passeriformes

Family: Passeridae

Migratory status: Permanent resident


CONSERVATION STATUS:

In the 2004 edition of the Red Book of Spanish Birds (Libro Rojo de las Aves de España) it is listed as “Not Evaluated”.

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listen song


THREATS

It is not threatened; in fact, its rapid expansion in the Extremadura region has caused reductions in the population to be made. It can be affected by the loss of wooded areas where it breeds.


Length / size: 14-16 cm / 23-26 cm

Identification: Bird similar to the house sparrow but whose crown is completely brown; its black bib is very wide and large, and its cheeks are a pure white, which contrasts with the black line that crosses its eye. Females and juveniles are similar to the female house sparrow. It is a very gregarious species, and it is easy to see groups of several specimens.

Song: It makes sounds similar to those of the house sparrow and in rapid series, "cheelee-cheelee-cheelee".

Diet: It primarily feeds on seeds, fruits, shoots, and plant matter that it gathers on the ground. Its diet also includes insect and arachnids, primarily for feeding its chicks.

Reproduction: The breeding period begins in April. They primarily place the nest in trees, independently of other pairs that make up the colony. Both the male and female participate in the construction, using branches, stalks, grass, and feathers, leaving a hole through which to enter. The female incubates the eggs, but both parents are in charge of feeding the chicks.


HABITAT

It prefers open areas at low altitudes where there are trees.


DISTRIBUTION

In Spain: It primarily occupies the southwestern quadrant of the peninsula, appearing locally in Castile and León, Navarre, and the Tajo and Guadiana River valleys.

In Castile and León: Principally located in Salamanca and Zamora. It breeds in all the provinces but is very rare in León.

Movements and migrations: In the southern half, the populations are sedentary and wintering, but in the north, they migrate to lower areas during winter.


POPULATION

In Spain: There is an estimated population of more than 70000 breeding pairs.

In Castile and León: There is an estimated population of 1700-2000 breeding pairs.