Southern grey headed sparrow

Introduction: Apart from Acacia savannah woodland, southern grey-headed sparrows (Passer diffusus), favour habitats with broad-leaved woodlands and areas around human settlements. Gardens and plantation edges are also visited.

Distribution: Common throughout Namibia less for the south-eastern regions.
Diet: Walks or hops on the ground for seeds of grasses and forbs such as paperthorns and spiderling. Also takes small fruits of honey-thorn and Zambezi fig and feeds on the nectar of the mountain aloe.

Description: Diffusus refers to the grey-washed head and neck. Other colourations include a 'smokey rufous-brown' back, dark brown flight feathers and creamy white underparts.
Breeding: A variety of plant and other materials are placed in a natural hole in the tree or an old woodpeckers or barbets nest. From November to May, 3 or 4 eggs are laid and incubated for up to 14 days.

Size: 16cm.

Weight: 24g.