Cape Sparrow
Afrikaans name: Gewone mossie
Passer melanurus
The Cape Sparrow is a familar bird over large parts of South Africa. It is mainly found in the western parts of South Africa and further up north as far as Angola.
They are normally seen in small flocks but sometimes, away from human habitation, it can be seen in flocks of around 200.
Cape Sparrows mainly eat seed but they will also eat certain insects, nectar, fruit and soft shoots of plants. They can cause damage to crops.
Most often Cape Sparrows breed in colonies but some birds choose to breed away from the colony. The nest is a domed structure made of grass and twigs. They do sometimes use cavities in buildings or other man-made structures. Between 2 and 6 eggs are laid and are tended to by both parents.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
---|---|---|
1st | 786 | Passer melanurus melanurus |
2nd | 786 | Passer melanurus |
3rd | 786 | Passer melanurus |
4th | 786 | Passer melanurus |
5th | 803 | Passer melanurus |
6th | 803 | Passer melanurus |
7th | 902 | Passer melanurus |
Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
---|---|---|
1st | 786 | Cape Sparrow |
2nd | 786 | Cape Sparrow |
3rd | 786 | Cape Sparrow |
4th | 786 | Cape Sparrow |
5th | 803 | Cape Sparrow |
6th | 803 | Cape Sparrow |
7th | 902 | Cape Sparrow |
Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
---|---|---|
1st | 786 | Kaapse-mossie |
2nd | 786 | Mossie |
3rd | 786 | Mossie |
4th | 786 | Mossie |
5th | 803 | Gewone Mossie |
6th | 803 | Gewone Mossie |
7th | 902 | Gewone Mossie |
References and further reading
Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 62Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 192
Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 69
The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 64
The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 334
The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 45
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 103
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 414
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 710
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 380
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 712
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 557
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 338
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 422
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 547
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 406
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 406
Newmans Garden Birds - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1991 - Page: 110
Know your Garden Birds - Author: - Published: 0 - Page: 23
LBJs - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 116
Meeting with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1986 - Page: 107
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 300
Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P. Ginn & G. McIlleron - Published: 1981 - Page: 41
Geoff Lockwoods Garden Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Geoff Lockwood - Published: 0 - Page: 93
Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 194
Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 133
Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 24
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 77
Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 114
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 252
Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 213
Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 108
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 267
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 22
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 22
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 296
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