Iago Sparrow

Passer iagoensis - Moineau à dos roux Moineau du Cap-Vert

Systematics

Order
:
Passeriformes
Family
:
Passéridés
Genus
:
Passer
Species
:
iagoensis

Descriptor

Gould, 1838

Biometrics

Size
: 12 à 13 cm
Wingspan
: -
Weight
: -

Geographic range

Distribution

Identification

Immediately recognisable as a sparrow, both sexes are more colourful than the House Sparrow; smaller than this. In the male, the most striking character is the wide orange-red eyebrow which extends to the mantle of the same colour. The cap is dark grey and the rump is rufous. The female is very similar to that of the house or Spanish sparrow with which the Iago sparrow coexists in Cape Verde. It differs by having a cream (and not ashy) eyebrow rimmed in black, giving it a more contrasted look than its congeners. As in the male, the rump is rufous, easily observed in flight.

Subspecific information monotypic species

Foreign names

Moineau à dos roux,
Gorrión de Cabo Verde,
pardal-de-cabo-verde,
Kapverdensperling,
zöld-foki veréb,
Kaapverdische Mus,
Passero di Capo Verde,
kapverdesparv,
Kappverdespurv,
vrabec čiernočelý,
vrabec kapverdský,
Kap Verde-spurv,
kapverdenvarpunen,
pardal de Cap Verd,
Roðaspör,
wróbel rudogrzbiety,
Kaboverdes zvirbulis,
zelenortski vrabec,
Капверденский воробей,
ケープベルデセアカスズメ,
棕背麻雀,
kapverdesparv,
棕背麻雀,

Voice song and cries

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pause

The most commonly heard call (chirp) is very similar to that of the Iago Sparrow. The song comprises of louder and softer repeated tones, in a fashion very similar to the Iago Sparrow.

Habitat

It inhabits all environments, from urban centers to desert areas.

Behaviour character trait

The Iago Sparrow is quite fearless. Like the domestic House Sparrow, it has grown accustomed to humans and often visits the terraces of bars and restaurants. The species is considered sedentary, but at least a portion of the young ones disperse after the breeding season.

Dietfeeding habits

Adults are granivorous, but, in cities, mainly consume human food waste. The young are fed diverse larvae (especially caterpillars) and orthopterans.

Reproduction nesting

The Iago Sparrow reproduces during the rainy season, from September to March. Its nest is a ball of dry vegetation placed in a cavity, originally found in cliffs or hollow trees. We have also seen it built in lamp posts or behind wooden panels, sometimes even in open air tucked away in tree foliage or even in bushes. Colonies form loosely. The eggs are usually 3 to 5 in numbers, yet there are no known data regarding the species' incubation. Both parents take part in raising the young.

Geographic range

Endemic species to the Cape Verde archipelago where it is present on all islands except for Fogo. Iago Sparrow is also known as the Red-backed Methodist.