Shelley's Rufous Sparrow
Passer shelleyi
A typical sparrow with a striped back, a gray crown and nape, and a black bib. The rufous rump is conspicuous in flight. The sexes are similar, though males are brighter overall and have more rufous on the face. Found locally in dry thorn savanna and cultivated areas, sometimes around human habitation. Similar to Somali Sparrow, but the male is separated by his gray crown and the female by her much more colorful overall plumage. Very similar to Kenya Rufous Sparrow, but not known to overlap in range, and Shelley’s is separated by its dark eye. The call is a cheerful “chirp” like that of other sparrows.
Identification
A typical sparrow with a striped back, a gray crown and nape, and a black bib. The rufous rump is conspicuous in flight. The sexes are similar, though males are brighter overall and have more rufous on the face. Found locally in dry thorn savanna and cultivated areas, sometimes around human habitation. Similar to Somali Sparrow, but the male is separated by his gray crown and the female by her much more colorful overall plumage. Very similar to Kenya Rufous Sparrow, but not known to overlap in range, and Shelley’s is separated by its dark eye. The call is a cheerful “chirp” like that of other sparrows.
Taxonomy
Genus: Passer; Family: Passeridae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Passer shelleyi
- Authority
- Sharpe, 1891
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passeridae
- Genus
- Passer
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Short-billed Canastero
Asthenes baeri
Medium-sized, rather nondescript bird, plain dull brown with a tail that is usually held cocked. Note the orange throat patch. Inhabits arid areas with scrub and woodlands, where it forages both in trees and on the ground. The song is a high nasal trill. The similar Sharp-billed Canastero has a longer bill and tail and an indistinct eyebrow.
Brown Woodland-Warbler
Phylloscopus umbrovirens
Small brownish warbler. Dull greenish on the back and buffy brown below. The bright yellow-green edges to the wing feathers can be conspicuous. Found in montane forest, mostly in the mid-story and canopy. Like other woodland-warblers, active and always on the move. The distinctive song consists of quick up-and-down series which are repeated with slight variations after a short pause. Similar to Red-faced Woodland-Warbler, but darker on the belly, with less red on the face and throat.
Slaty-capped Flycatcher
Leptopogon superciliaris
Small flycatcher with gray cap, black ear patch, and buffy wingbars. Head pattern looks messy. Olive back and pale yellow belly. Most similar to Sepia-capped Flycatcher, but that species has a brown cap (not gray). Also very similar to bristle-tyrants of South America but note buffy wingbars and voice—a commonly heard, explosive “pseek!” sometimes with a sputtering trill at the end. Look for singles or pairs in forests and edges, usually not too high in the trees. Often follows mixed-species flocks.
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