Dead Sea Sparrow

Dead Sea Sparrow (Male)
Dead Sea Sparrow (Males and females)
Recordings 

Observations, notes, photos

Dead Sea Sparrow (Male) in Al Abraq (January 2012)

Aris Vidalis
01/09/2013 - 07:40
Scientific Name 
Passer moabiticus
Arabic Name 
عصفور البحر الميت
Kuwaiti name 
زرزور
Family 
Old World Sparrows - Snowfinches
Length 
12.0 cm
Least Concern
Similar species 
House Sparrow

In Kuwait

Vagrant
Non-breeder

Information

Vagrant. Although this small sparrow species was first recorded in Kuwait in 1996 it has since been spotted at several localities. The species is a Middle Eastern specialty where it has a patchy and restricted distribution.
Where in Kuwait 
It is found in in dry lowlands with some shrubs, including tamarisk, and access to water and has been recorded at Jahra Pools and Al Abraq
In the world 
It has an extremely large range and a population that is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats. It is a breeding bird around the River Jordan, Dead Sea, and into Iraq, Iran and western Afghanistan. It is migratory or dispersive, although the regular wintering grounds of this nomadic species are largely unknown, except that the eastern race winters in Pakistan. Flocks of the nominate western race have been found in winter further south in the Middle East. This species feeds principally on seeds, like other sparrows
Local threats 
Habitat loss and degradation and pesticides.