Cape sparrow

Introduction: Arid and semi-arid savannah, dry woodland near seasonal watercourses, farmlands, orchards and plantations attract the Cape sparrow (Passer melanurus). Usually they are observed in small to large flocks, although in the breeding season the sightings are singly or in pairs.

Distribution: Fairly common in Namibia less for the north-east. Found in Etosha National Park, northern Namib Desert, Sandwich Harbour and in most of the southern regions of the country.
Diet: Eats plant material such as flower buds, small fruits and seeds of honey-thorn, seeds of forbs and grasses, grapes, pears and nectar. Also eats ants, termites, beetles and ladybirds.

Description: Black head with white circles from behind the eyes to the side of the throat. Black upper breast, whitish lower breast and underparts. Blackish-brown tail and flight feathers with creamy white underparts. Melanurus is Greek for 'dark' or 'black-tailed'.
Breeding: From 2 to 8 eggs are laid in a large, hollow, grass nest from August to March and incubated for around 14 days.

Size: 15cm.

Weight: 28g.