The southern grey-headed sparrow is a passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae. It is sometimes treated as a subspecies of the grey-headed sparrow. It is found in savanna and woodland in Angola and Zambia southwards into South Africa, where it is expanding its range and is kept as a caged bird, like its relative the white-rumped seedeater.
Region
Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from Angola and Zambia south through Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique into Eswatini and much of South Africa. Favors open woodland, savanna, thornveld, agricultural lands, and towns, where it often associates closely with people. Common in gardens, farmsteads, and near grain storage. It tolerates semi-arid areas provided there is scattered tree cover and water nearby.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 3/5
Sometimes treated as a subspecies of the grey-headed sparrow, this adaptable bird thrives in human-modified landscapes as well as natural savanna and woodland. It frequently nests in roof eaves, cavities, and nest boxes, and will readily visit yards and grain stores. Males and females look very similar, which can make sexing by appearance difficult. It is occasionally kept as a cage bird in parts of southern Africa.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with direct, low flights
Social Behavior
Outside the breeding season it forms small flocks, often feeding on the ground. Pairs are monogamous and nest in cavities, building crevices, or nest boxes, sometimes forming loose colonies. Frequently forages alongside other sparrows and small seedeaters around human habitation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Simple series of chirps and twittering notes, delivered from perches or rooftops. Contact calls are soft and metallic, shifting to sharp chipping when alarmed.
