The Sahel bush sparrow or bush petronia, is a species of bird in the family Passeridae. It is found in Africa from Mauritania to Guinea and east to Eritrea and the south-western Arabian Peninsula in its natural habitats of dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.
Region
Sahel and southwestern Arabian Peninsula
Typical Environment
Occurs across the Sahel from Mauritania and Senegal east through Mali, Niger, Chad, and Sudan to Eritrea, and also on the southwestern Arabian Peninsula. It favors dry savanna, acacia and thorn scrub, and open bushland with scattered trees. The species often uses lightly cultivated areas, villages, and the margins of oases and wadis. It persists in harsh, seasonally arid environments where seeds and insects are patchily available.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the bush petronia, it is well adapted to semi‑arid landscapes and often associates with acacia scrub and thornbush. It readily visits villages and farms to forage, especially in the dry season. Males may show a small yellow throat patch that can be subtle outside breeding condition. Flocks are often loose and mobile as they track patchy seed resources.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with bounding glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small groups; outside the breeding season it gathers in loose flocks that move widely to exploit seeding grasses and crops. Breeding is typically monogamous, with nests placed in cavities such as tree holes, wall crevices, or sometimes within structures like old nests of other birds. Both parents participate in care of the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are sparrow‑like chirps and cheeps, often delivered in quick series. The song is a simple, dry chatter with short trills, used in pair contact and territory advertisement.
