Kenya Rufous Sparrow

Description:

Kenyan sparrow, Rufous sparrow or Kenyan rufous sparrow is a medium sized sparrow, roughly the same size as House sparrow. Observed here is the nominate race, distinguished by the pale eye. This sparrow is quite similar to house sparrow except that it has a smaller black bib, grey cheeks and curved rufous streak around the ear covert.

Habitat:

Here, observed in acacia trees on shores of alkaline lake Elementaita in central Kenya. Seen in mixed flock freely roaming around the hotel, and a couple of feeders. In the same flock I noticed House sparrows, two species of weaver, Cordon-bleus and manikins.

Notes:

I'd like to mention that the other race/form/subspecies mentioned above, Shelley's rufous sparrow, is often treated as separate species, Passer shelleyi - found only in Uganda, it is generally paler in overall appearance, has a dark eye and a black line under the rusty supercilium and around the ear coverts.