Dead Sea Sparrow
Passer moabiticus
Small and compact with a small bill and a shorter tail compared to larger sparrows. Males have a gray head, a vivid rusty shoulder patch, a black throat, and a yellow patch at the base of the white mustache. Females are relatively clean-looking compared to males. Song is a series of high-pitched, sharp “tzip-tzip-tzip…” notes. The flight call is higher-pitched than larger sparrows. Breeds in thick scrub and trees where it builds a large and prominent nest that has unique thermoregulating properties for hot climates. A partial and short-distance migrant; moves in tight, fast-moving flocks.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Passer moabiticus
- Authority
- Tristram, 1864
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passeridae
- Genus
- Passer
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- PAL : sc subtropical Palearctic in riparian vegetation and irrigation: s Turkey and Cyprus to sw Afghanistan, in s to e Israel, w Jordan, c Iraq and sw Iran
- Non-breeding range
- short-range southward movement
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Pale-bellied Hermit
Phaethornis anthophilus
Large, long-tailed hermit found in northern Colombia and western Venezuela. Like many other hermits, the bill is long and decurved and the central tail feathers are elongated with white tips. Note the pale eyebrow that contrasts with its black mask. Also note whitish underparts and dull greenish upperparts without bright rufous tones. Fairly common in lower levels of dry forests, mangroves, and plantations. Most frequently seen visiting Heliconia flowers.
Masked Crimson Tanager
Ramphocelus nigrogularis
Small, attractive tanager; bright crimson and black with a black mask and silver bill. Most commonly found in vegetation around oxbow lakes, also sometimes found in nearby forests and along rivers. Sexes similar though females are slightly duller than males. Extensive crimson and black mask easily distinguish this species from other tanagers within its range.
Black-and-white Antbird
Myrmochanes hemileucus
Small antbird, black above and white below. Females have obvious white lores. Resembles a miniature Great Antshrike with a black rather than red eye. Inhabits the understory of river islands with a high density of Cecropia trees. The song is a dry trill, resembling a rattle.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.