Italian Sparrow
Passer italiae
The Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae) is a uncommon snowfinches and old world sparrow found in 17 countries, weighing about 28 g. The Italian sparrow, also known as the cisalpine sparrow, is a passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in Italy and other parts of the Mediterranean region.
About the Italian Sparrow
The Italian sparrow, also known as the cisalpine sparrow, is a passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in Italy and other parts of the Mediterranean region. In appearance, it is intermediate between the house sparrow, and the Spanish sparrow, a species of the Mediterranean and Central Asia closely related to the house sparrow. The Italian sparrow occurs in northern Italy and neighbouring regions, with intermediates with the house sparrow in a very narrow contact zone in the Alps, a slow gradation in appearance from the Italian to Spanish sparrows across central and southern Italy, and more birds of intermediate appearance in Malta, Crete, and other parts of the Mediterranean.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Italian sparrow is a small chunky bird, with grey and brown plumage. The sexes differ in their plumage pattern, and slightly in length. The male has a head patterned like that of the Spanish sparrow, with a chestnut crown, nape and sides of head, and white cheeks. The male's upperparts are bright chestnut, and its underparts are pale grey, lacking the black streaking of the Spanish sparrow. The male has a black patch on its throat and chest, known as a bib or badge. This patch, like much of the male's plumage is dull in fresh non-breeding plumage and is brightened by wear and preening.
What the Italian Sparrow sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Spain, Germany, Romania, Netherlands.
When to see it
The Italian Sparrow can be seen all year round, with peak activity in May. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Italian Sparrow?
- The Italian sparrow is a small chunky bird, with grey and brown plumage. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Italian Sparrow?
- The Italian Sparrow is a small sized bird weighing about 28 g.
- Where can you see an Italian Sparrow?
- The Italian Sparrow occurs in 17 countries, including Italy, France, Greece, Switzerland and Vatican City.
- What does an Italian Sparrow sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Italian Sparrow on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to an Italian Sparrow?
- The Italian Sparrow is most easily confused with the Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, the Russet Sparrow and the Plain-backed Sparrow.
- Is the Italian Sparrow endangered?
- The Italian Sparrow is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Italian Sparrow for real
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