The Sudan golden sparrow is a small species of bird in the sparrow family found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a famous cage bird, and in aviculture, it is known as the golden song sparrow. The Arabian golden sparrow and this species are sometimes considered one species, as the "golden sparrow".
Region
Sahel and northeastern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs across the Sahel from Mauritania and Senegal east through Mali, Niger, and Chad to Sudan and western Eritrea. It favors arid savannas, thorn scrub, palm groves, oases, and human-modified areas such as fields and villages near water. The species is highly gregarious and nomadic, shifting locally with seasonal rains and grass seed availability. Breeding colonies are often established near reliable water and in tall trees or palms.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 4/5
Males turn a striking golden-yellow in breeding plumage, making the species popular in aviculture where it is sometimes called the golden song sparrow. It forms very large, noisy colonies and often follows seasonal rains to exploit seeding grasses. The Sudan golden sparrow and the Arabian golden sparrow are sometimes treated as a single species complex. Nests are typically globular structures of grasses placed in trees or palms, often near water.
From left to right, the mostly yellow Arabian golden sparrow, the Sudan golden sparrow, which is yellow with a brown back, and the brown chestnut sparrow
A flock with males and females near the Red Sea in Sudan
A male near the Red Sea in Sudan
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with undulating flight
Social Behavior
Extremely gregarious, forming large flocks and dense breeding colonies that may include hundreds to thousands of birds. Nests are globular and made of grasses, placed in trees or palms, often near water. Courtship involves chattering displays and wing-flicking by males. May roost communally in large numbers.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a simple, rapid twittering interspersed with chirps and trills. Colonies are noisy, producing constant chattering calls. Alarm notes are sharper, metallic chips.
Plumage
Male in breeding plumage is largely uniform golden-yellow with slightly darker wings; nonbreeding males duller. Females and immatures are sandy-buff to pale brown with fine dusky streaking on the mantle and darker wings with pale edging. Overall sparrow-like build with compact body and short tail.
Diet
Feeds mainly on seeds of grasses and cultivated cereals such as millet and sorghum. Also takes small insects, especially during the breeding season, including termites and beetles. Will pick green plant material and fallen grain around settlements. Opportunistic and shifts diet with seasonal availability.
Preferred Environment
Forages mostly on the ground in open scrub, fallow fields, and along tracks near waterholes. Frequently visits agricultural areas and village edges. Uses trees and palms nearby for perching and colony nesting.
