Arabian Golden Sparrow
Passer euchlorus
A small, unusual sparrow of dry country. Males are mostly yellow with black-and-white wings and tail. In non-breeding plumage, males have a grayer back and a rufous wash on the head. Females are much plainer: buff brown on the back and pale below, with a yellow wash. Found in dry thorn savanna, thornscrub, and cultivated areas. Nests colonially, and usually found in flocks, sometimes large, and sometimes mixed with other bird species. Similar to Sudan Golden Sparrow, but virtually no overlap in range. Male is separated by its yellow rather than chestnut back, and females by being brighter and yellower, with less distinct back streaking. The common call is a rattling series of chirps.
Identification
The Arabian golden sparrow (Passer euchlorus) is a sparrow found in south west Arabia and also the coast of Somalia and Djibouti where it occurs in thorn savannah and scrub habitats. It is sometimes considered as a subspecies of the Sudan golden sparrow (Passer luteus). It is sometimes kept as a pet.
Taxonomy
Genus: Passer; Family: Passeridae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Passer euchlorus
- Authority
- (Bonaparte, 1850)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Passeridae
- Genus
- Passer
Range and habitat
Breeding range: AF, PAL : ne Africa and sw Arabian Pen. in arid thornbush and fields: coastal sw, sc, c Saudi Arabia and w, c Yemen (sw Arabian Pen.), Djibouti and nw Somalia. Non-breeding range: local movements.
- Breeding range
- AF, PAL : ne Africa and sw Arabian Pen. in arid thornbush and fields: coastal sw, sc, c Saudi Arabia and w, c Yemen (sw Arabian Pen.), Djibouti and nw Somalia
- Non-breeding range
- local movements
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
White-throated Rail
Dryolimnas cuvieri
A big, robust, rather colorful rail. The olive-green back, reddish underparts, and white throat are distinctive. Much less shy than typical rails, and sometimes quite tame. Found on the ground in forest, mangroves, moist scrub, marsh, and rice paddies. Quite vocal; most common call is a very loud, ringing series of rising “schweeet” notes. Larger than wood-rails, with a longer bill and a much larger white throat patch. Also larger than Madagascar Rail, with brighter coloration.
Sumba Hornbill
Rhyticeros everetti
A small black hornbill with an ivory-colored bill that has a reddish smudge at the base and a knob on top. There is a pale blue pouch of skin below the bill. Males have a rich chestnut neck that becomes a darker burnt red around the face and top of the head. Females have black necks and heads. Juveniles resemble male, with a smaller bill. Confined to Sumba, where it is the only hornbill. Inhabits lowland and foothill forest and forest edge, where it frequents the treetops singly or in groups. Calls include a fast-paced, emphatic “kokokokokokok…”.
Pink-backed Pelican
Pelecanus rufescens
Small by pelican standards, though still a very large bird! Adult is mostly pale gray with a pinkish bill and (in breeding plumage) a gray crest. Immature darker gray. Found in many wetland habitats with open water, including lakes, ponds, and coastal lagoons. Usually in small groups. Often confused with Great White Pelican, but Pink-backed is much smaller. In flight, the outer wing is dark gray rather than black, and it contrasts much less with the pale portions of the wing.
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