Yellow Sparrow

Scientific Name: Aurtpasser listens

Origin: East Africa

This hardy, brightly colored bird is very easy to manage and feed. It may be kept outside all year round, but must not be mixed with small finches as it can be aggressive. It agrees well with Java Sparrows, mannikins and some of the smaller weavers.

Description:

Size: 13 cm (5 in)

COCK:

Head: yellow. Back: chestnut. Wings: brown. Tail: brown. Stomach: yellow. Beak: cream, turns black during breeding season. Legs: brown.

HEN:

Head: huffish-brown. Mantle: huffish-brown. Stomach: buff and yellow. Beak: cream.

Diet: (Seedeater)

Mixed millets and plain canary seed form the basic diet. Millet sprays and green food are enjoyed. It also appreciates some live food, particularly small smooth caterpillars and meal worms. Grit and cuttlefish bone must always be provided. Although a very active bird, it does spend a great deal of time out of sight in dense vegetation, if such cover is provided in the flight.

Yellow Sparrow Breeding:

This is a difficult species to encourage to breed and plenty of cover is needed. Nest boxes and wicker nest baskets should be provided, sited low down in dense foliage to tempt pairs to start nest building. A large untidy nest is constructed, which is dome-shaped with a side entrance. Coarse bushes often prove popular sites. Pairs only go to nest if left strictly alone, so do not inspect the nest.

Three to four eggs form a normal clutch, which the hen incubates alone. The incubation period lasts around 16 days. Both parents share in rearing.

Plenty of insects are necessary when young are in the nest. These should include small smooth caterpillars, small beetles and mealworms. Green food and plentiful supplies of sprouted seeds must also be made available when the adults are feeding chicks.

Yellow Sparrow Information

• The bird and related species are found in many parts of the world. The birds living in the northern parts of the world have different physical traits compared to those living in the southern regions. The northern birds are bigger in size than those in the South.The color plumage of the southern birds is paler compared to the northern birds.
• The birds have adapted well with the urban and rural areas of human civilization.
• The plumage of the bird may vary from grey to brown.
• The sparrows live in flocks and produce a strange sound.
• The birds usually build their nests that are located under the roofs of houses, under the nook and corners of bridges and tree trunk hollows.
• The nesting season starts during the spring season.
• In wild they generally feed on seeds, small sized invertebrates, crumbs and such.