Spanish Sparrow
Scientific Name: Passer hispaniolensisMaltese Name: Ghasfur tal-Bejt
Family: Sparrows (Passeridae)
Occurence: Common Resident
Breeds in Malta: Yes
Breeding Frequency: Very Common
Overview:
Chunky familiar passerine, seen throughout Malta. Breeds in ventilators, telegraph poles, trees etc. In breeding season, males have reddish brown cap, white cheeks, black throat and black streaked chest, flanks and back. Females and juveniles are duller, with brown and grey being their dominant colours. It is highly adaptable when it comes to its food, feeding on anything edible it encounters. Big flocks gather at sunset to roost in large trees such as Ficus, often in town squares. Even though it is a resident species, some migrating flocks are noticed in October and November. Its call is a typical, clumsy "sparrowish" one. Its alarm call is a very good indicator that a larger bird is present, as they tend to get alarmed even if a Turtle Dove or a Cuckoo fly over, probably thinking they are raptors.
Status and Distribution:
Very Common, as it is not bothered at all by human presence, it is present throughout Malta, Gozo and Comino.
When to See:
All year round
Where to See:
Everywhere
Photographs:
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| Male Spanish Sparrow, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
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| Adult male Spanish Sparrow | Nests of Spanish Sparrow |
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| Fledged young of Spanish Sparrow | Adult male Spanish Sparrow urging the young to fledge |
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| Female Spanish Sparrow, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
Listen to Spanish Sparrow:
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