Sparrows and Allies (W)
From WikiBird
Passeridae
The bird family Passeridae includes the Old World or true sparrows and, depending on the authority consulted, their close relatives, the estrildid finches.
The 25 species of true sparrow are native to Europe, Africa and Asia, but a few species, notably the House Sparrow have been introduced to other continents and are now virtually cosmopolitan. Most sparrows are small, plump, brownish or greyish seed eating birds with short tails and powerful short beaks.
Like the true sparrows, the estrildid finches are small, gregarious, and often colonial seed-eaters with short, thick but pointed bills. They are broadly similar in structure and habits, but tend to be very colourful and vary greatly in their plumage. About 140 species are native to the old world tropics and Australasia.
- Saxaul Sparrow (Passer ammodendri)
- House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
- Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis)
- Sind Sparrow (Passer pyrrhonotus)
- Somali Sparrow (Passer castanopterus)
- Russet Sparrow (Passer rutilans)
- Plain-backed Sparrow (Passer flaveolus)
- Dead Sea Sparrow (Passer moabiticus)
- Iago Sparrow (Passer iagoensis)
- Kenya Rufous-Sparrow (Passer rufocinctus)
- Socotra Sparrow (Passer insularis)
- Southern Rufous-Sparrow (Passer motitensis)
- Mossie (Passer melanurus)
- Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer griseus)
- Swainson's Sparrow (Passer swainsonii)
- Parrot-billed Sparrow (Passer gongonensis)
- Swahili Sparrow (Passer suahelicus)
- Cape Sparrow (Passer diffusus)
- Desert Sparrow (Passer simplex)
- Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
- Sudan Golden-Sparrow (Passer luteus)
- Arabian Golden-Sparrow (Passer euchlorus)
- Chestnut Sparrow (Passer eminibey)
- Yellow-spotted Petronia (Petronia pyrgita)
- Chestnut-shouldered Petronia (Petronia xanthocollis)
- Yellow-throated Petronia (Petronia superciliaris)
- Bush Petronia (Petronia dentata)
- Rock Sparrow (Petronia petronia)
- Pale Rock-Finch (Carpospiza brachydactyla)
- White-winged Snowfinch (Montifringilla nivalis)
- Black-winged Snowfinch (Montifringilla adamsi)
- White-rumped Snowfinch (Montifringilla taczanowskii)
- Small Snowfinch (Montifringilla davidiana)
- Rufous-necked Snowfinch (Montifringilla ruficollis)
- Plain-backed Snowfinch (Montifringilla blanfordi)
- Afghan Snowfinch (Montifringilla theresae)
