Stone sparrows
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Eyebrow Sparrow ( Petronia superciliaris ) |
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| Petronia | ||||||||||||
| Kaup , 1829 |
The stone sparrows ( Petronia ) are a genus within the sparrow family . Species of this genus can be found in Europe, Asia and Africa, the main area of distribution is Africa. A species, namely the stone sparrow, occasionally reaches Central Europe as a rare stray visitor .
A total of five types are distinguished. The genetic difference to the genus Passer is not very great and a few authors occasionally list them in this genus. The IUCN classifies all species of stone sparrows as not endangered ( least concern ).
features
Stone sparrows reach a height between 13 and 16 centimeters. They are compact birds with a head that is large in relation to their body size and a short, powerful beak that tapers to a point in front. They differ from the closely related Passer species by the small yellow spot on the throat. Four of the species show no sexual dimorphism , in the bush sparrow this is only very slight. Unlike some Passer species, all species lack a seasonal change in beak color. Body structure, habitat and voice are very similar to the genus Passer , but stone sparrows use a slightly different ecological niche and are more tied to a life in trees and bushes than is the case with Passer . The exception is again the stone sparrow, which mainly lives in treeless hilly landscapes with sparse grass cover and rocks, eruptions and rocky cliffs.
distribution
One of the five species, namely the eyebrow sparrow , is restricted to the African continent. The bush sparrow and the Sahel stone sparrow are found in Africa as well as on the Arabian Peninsula. While the yellow-throated sparrow can only be found in Asia, the stone sparrow is found in northwestern Africa, southern Europe and Asia. Its range is the largest within the genus. It extends from Madeira, the Canary Islands, southern Europe and north-west Africa in an easterly direction across the Middle East and the Aral Sea to north-west India, west Mongolia, west Manchuria and north of Sechuan. As a stray visitor, this species occasionally reaches Great Britain, Poland, the Azores, Malta, Cyprus and Israel.
The habitat of the stone sparrows are moderately dry to dry, light forests, semi-arid shrub landscapes as well as the edge areas of settlements and agricultural areas.
species
The following species belong to the genus of stone sparrows:
- Sahel stone sparrow ( Petronia pyrgita )
- Yellow-throated Sparrow ( Petronia xanthocollis )
- Eyebrow Sparrow ( Petronia superciliaris )
- Bush Sparrow ( Petronia dentata )
- Rock Sparrow ( Petronia petronia )
literature
- C. Hilary Fry and Stuart Keith (Eds.): The Birds of Africa. Volume VII. Christopher Helm, London 2004, ISBN 0-7136-6531-9 .
