male; unmistakable head and facial pattern (South Africa; 2006-06-30)


Cape Sparrow
Passer melanurus

Native Range: Africa

Notes: endemic to southwestern Africa where it is a common and unmistakable inhabitant of fields and gardens, sometimes including those in urban areas.

grey back; greyish underparts; rufous shoulder (South Africa; 2006-06-30)
frontal view of male; note the conical bill (South Africa; 2006-06-30)

female; she is grey where the male is black (South Africa; 2006-06-30)
female, showing rufous on rump as well as wing (South Africa; 2006-06-30)