Abd al-Kuri Sparrow
Passer hemileucus
The Abd al-Kuri Sparrow (Passer hemileucus) is a legendary snowfinches and old world sparrow found only in Yemen, weighing about 30 g. The Abd al-Kuri sparrow is a passerine bird endemic to the small island of Abd al Kuri.
About the Abd al-Kuri Sparrow
The Abd al-Kuri sparrow is a passerine bird endemic to the small island of Abd al Kuri. The sparrows are located primarily in the Socotra archipelago of the Indian Ocean, in Yemen, which is off the Horn of Africa. Their environment consists of shrubland and rocky areas with inland cliffs and mountain peaks. Though this species was originally described as a distinct species, it was considered conspecific with the Socotra sparrow. The sparrow is also referred to by its English name, Abd al-Kuri, or its Dutch, Middle Name, Abd al-Kuri Mus. A study by Guy Kirwan suggested that there are differences between the Abd al-Kuri sparrow and the Socotra sparrow. On the evidence that it is…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The male sparrow is brown and gray and has a streak on its back. It is 13-14cm tall, with a chestnut brown eyebrow arch downward curve behind its ears, and a black stripe curving around the back of its ears. The female is smaller than the male and is pale brown with dark brown underparts. The female, compared to the male, is smaller in size.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: March, October, with peak activity in March. It is a passage migrant species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Abd al-Kuri Sparrow?
- The male sparrow is brown and gray and has a streak on its back. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Abd al-Kuri Sparrow?
- The Abd al-Kuri Sparrow is a small sized bird weighing about 30 g.
- Where can you see an Abd al-Kuri Sparrow?
- The Abd al-Kuri Sparrow is endemic to Yemen, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to an Abd al-Kuri Sparrow?
- The Abd al-Kuri Sparrow is most easily confused with the Zarudny's Sparrow, the Arabian Golden Sparrow and the Socotra Sparrow.
- Is the Abd al-Kuri Sparrow endangered?
- The Abd al-Kuri Sparrow is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Abd al-Kuri Sparrow for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.