Photo: Joseph Smit / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Socotra Sparrow
Passer insularis
Socotra Sparrow (Passer insularis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Socotra Sparrow (Passer insularis) is a member of the Passeridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 27.3 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Passeridae Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches
- Genus Passer
- Species insularis
Where it lives
Insular northeastern Africa in semiarid scrub, open areas and near villages: Socotra, Samhah and Darsah (southwest of Socotra)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 27.3 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Passeridae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Socotra Sparrow is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Socotra Sparrow is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Socotra Sparrow (Passer insularis) belongs to the Passeridae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF insular ne Africa in semiarid scrub, open areas and near villages: Socotra, Samhah and Darsah (sw of Socotra).
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 27.3 g, with a wing length of about 7.3 cm and a tail of around 6.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 3,671 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Socotra Sparrow?
The Socotra Sparrow is a small bird that weighs around 27.3 g.
Where does the Socotra Sparrow live?
The Socotra Sparrow is found across Africa with a range covering AF insular ne Africa in semiarid scrub, open areas and near villages: Socotra, Samhah and Darsah (sw of Socotra), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Socotra Sparrow belong to?
The Socotra Sparrow (Passer insularis) belongs to the Passeridae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Socotra Sparrow eat?
The Socotra Sparrow is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Socotra Sparrow migrate?
The Socotra Sparrow is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Socotra Sparrow endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Socotra Sparrow make?
1 real field recording of the Socotra Sparrow — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Socotra Sparrow's range?
The Socotra Sparrow has a mapped global range of about 3,671 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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