Bird Guide

Sahel Bush Sparrow

Gymnoris dentata

Least ConcernSeedsDesertCavity nestSmall · 18 g

About the Sahel Bush Sparrow

The Sahel bush sparrow or bush petronia, is a species of bird in the family Passeridae. It is found in Africa from Mauritania to Guinea and east to Eritrea and the south-western Arabian Peninsula in its natural habitats of dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

The Sahel bush sparrow is a small bird with a large, conical beak and a short tail. It grows to a length of about 13 cm (5 in). The male has a grey crown, a wide but ill-defined reddish-brown supercilium and greyish-brown face and throat, surrounding the creamy-white bib. The male's beak is black during the breeding season but horn-coloured during the rest of the year. The plumage on the upper parts and tail is mainly brown, with no white on the tail. The upper throat has an ill-defined yellowish spot and the breast is creamy-buff, becoming whiter on the belly.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Sahel Bush Sparrow lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in Mauritania, Sudan.

When to see the Sahel Bush Sparrow

Peak activity in December · a winter visitor species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Sahel Bush Sparrow in BeakBrain

Photo and call practice, free in any browser.

Play BeakBrain

Every 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.