Least Concern Birds

Northern Grey-headed Sparrow

Passer griseus

Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, an omnivore near African savannas and farms.

Scientific name	Passer griseus
Swahili name	Kochwa wa kichwa kijivu wa kusini
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Passeridae
Size	Male: approximately 24-28 grams; Female: approximately 22-26 grams

See this species in the app

How to identify

Head gray with a distinct white supercilium; back and wings brown with black streaks; short, stout bill adapted for seed pecking; small body size, short tail; pale ring around the eye

Habitat

Open woodland savanna, shrubland, edges of farmland, and near human settlements

Diet

Omnivorous, mainly feeding on seeds, insects, and fruits

When it is active

Diurnal, active during the day

Where it lives

Mainly distributed in southern Africa, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana; less common in Kenya and the Masai Mara region

How to spot it

Look for them in the morning or evening in open woodland savanna or farmland edges, paying attention to the gray head and supercilium

Photography tips

Use a telephoto lens to capture detailed features, photograph during times of good natural light, and choose a simple background to highlight plumage colors

Threats

Habitat loss and environmental changes caused by agricultural activities

Similar species

Similar to the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), distinguished by gray head and distinct white supercilium; differs from the Northern Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer griseus griseus) by distribution and subtle color differences

📖 how to spot the northern grey headed sparrow on safari