Sudan Golden Sparrow

The Sudan golden sparrow, Passer luteus, is a diminutive and vibrant member of the sparrow family, Passeridae. It is a sought-after avian for enthusiasts, often gracing aviaries under the moniker of the golden song sparrow. Its plumage is a striking combination of colors, with males donning a brilliant yellow head and underparts, complemented by a deep chestnut brown on the wings and back, and punctuated with two white wingbars. During the breeding season, the male's plumage intensifies in vibrancy, and its bill transitions from a horn color to a glossy black. The female, in contrast, is dressed in a more subdued palette of pale sandy-buff, with a yellowish face, light brown wings, and a back faintly streaked with chestnut. The underparts of the female are a pale yellow that gently fades to whitish.

Identification Tips

To identify the Sudan golden sparrow, look for the male's bright yellow head and underparts, chestnut brown wings and back, and the distinctive white wingbars. In breeding plumage, the male's bill turns shiny black. Females and juveniles can be recognized by their paler coloring, with females having a yellowish face and juveniles appearing greyer.

Habitat

This species thrives in the arid landscapes of dry open savanna, semi-desert, and arid scrub. It is also found in areas of cereal cultivation, where it can forage for seeds.

Distribution

The Sudan golden sparrow is native to sub-Saharan Africa, with its range extending from Senegal in the west to Sudan and Ethiopia in the east. Notably, a small number have been spotted as far northwest as Aousserd, Morocco.

Behaviour

The Sudan golden sparrow is a highly social and nomadic bird, often seen in mixed flocks with other seed-eaters. In urban settings, such as Khartoum, evening roosts can swell to hundreds of thousands. It is a seed eater, with a preference for grass seeds, including those of smaller cereals like millet. When feeding young, it will also consume insects.

Song & Calls

The basic call of the Sudan golden sparrow is a chirp or 'tchirrup', akin to other sparrows. Variations include a song-like call and a rapid, rhythmic 'che-che-che'.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in colossal colonies, sometimes comprising up to 65,000 nests. The nests are large, domed structures built of twigs within tree branches, lined with feathers for comfort. Typically, three to four eggs are laid per clutch, and the species may produce one or two clutches annually.

Similar Species

The Sudan golden sparrow is often compared to the Arabian golden sparrow and the chestnut sparrow. The male Arabian golden sparrow is almost entirely gold-colored, while the male chestnut sparrow is predominantly chestnut. The Sudan golden sparrow is intermediate in appearance.

Diet and Feeding

In the wild, the Sudan golden sparrow feeds primarily on seeds, favoring grass seeds and smaller cereal seeds. In captivity, a diet of foxtail millet, grains, vegetables, mealworms, and other supplements is common.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List categorizes the Sudan golden sparrow as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face a significant threat of extinction.