About the Rock Sparrow
The rock sparrow or rock petronia is a small passerine bird in the sparrow family Passeridae. It is the only species in the genus Petronia. It breeds on barren rocky hills from Madeira and the Canary Islands east through the Iberian Peninsula and western north Africa, across southern Europe and through southwestern and central Asia to Mongolia and the north and west of China. It is resident in the west of its range, but some Asian birds may migrate to more southerly areas, or move to lower altitudes in mountains, in winter.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The rock sparrow is 15–17 cm (5.9–6.7 in) in length, on average slightly larger a house sparrow, and with a conspicuously larger, more conical bill. It has a strong whitish supercilium and weaker crown stripe. It has a patterned brown back and wings, streaked underparts, and a diagnostic, but hard-to-see, yellow throat spot. It is largely monochromatic, with a distinctive yellow patch on their upper breast that starkly contrasts the earth tones of their plumage.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Rock Sparrow sounds like
Where the Rock Sparrow lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in India, Pakistan, Andorra, Germany.
When to see the Rock Sparrow
Peak activity in May · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Yellow-throated SparrowGymnoris xanthocollisIt has a finer bill than typical sparrows of the genus Passer and unlike them has no streaks on the plumage.
Northern Grey-headed SparrowPasser griseusThe northern grey-headed sparrow, also known as the grey-headed sparrow, is a species of bird in the sparrow family Passeridae, which is resident in much of tropical Africa.
Italian SparrowPasser italiaeThe Italian sparrow is a small chunky bird, with grey and brown plumage.
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