Photo: JerryFriedman / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Swahili Sparrow
Passer suahelicus
Swahili Sparrow (Passer suahelicus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Swahili Sparrow (Passer suahelicus) is a member of the Passeridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 25 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 suahelicus
Where it lives
Eastern African savanna and anthropogenic habitats: southwestern, south-central Kenya to south-central Tanzania
Quick facts
- Weight
- 25 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Passeridae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Swahili Sparrow is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Swahili Sparrow is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Swahili Sparrow (Passer suahelicus) is a species of bird in the Passeridae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF e African savanna and anthropogenic habitats: sw, sc Kenya to sc Tanzania.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 25 g, with a wing length of about 8.4 cm and a tail of around 6.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 283,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Swahili Sparrow?
The Swahili Sparrow is a small bird that weighs around 25 g.
Where does the Swahili Sparrow live?
The Swahili Sparrow is found across Africa with a range covering AF e African savanna and anthropogenic habitats: sw, sc Kenya to sc Tanzania, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Swahili Sparrow belong to?
The Swahili Sparrow (Passer suahelicus) belongs to the Passeridae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Swahili Sparrow eat?
The Swahili Sparrow is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Swahili Sparrow migrate?
The Swahili Sparrow is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Swahili 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 Swahili Sparrow make?
1 real field recording of the Swahili 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 Swahili Sparrow's range?
The Swahili Sparrow has a mapped global range of about 283,000 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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Guides for this bird
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