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Passeridae - Old World Sparrows, Snow Finches

There are around 43 species of birds in this family. They are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. A few species, like the house sparrow, have been introduced around the world.

Birds in this family are found in open habitats like woodlands, wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural areas, and are frequently found in urban and suburban areas.

They are small birds, between 5-7 inches in length. They have short, thick bills; short, pointed wings; short legs; and stocky bodies. Most species are brown or gray with black or white markings. Males are usually larger than females and more brightly colored.

The birds in this family usually feed in flocks and eat insects, seeds, fruits, and berries.

New World sparrows and Old World sparrows are not closely related.

  • The yellow-throated petronia is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Gabon, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Throated Petronia
    (Gymnoris superciliaris)
    The yellow-throated petronia is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Gabon, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The rufous-tailed weaver is found in Kenya and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rufous-Tailed Weaver
    (Histurgops ruficauda)
    The rufous-tailed weaver is found in Kenya and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-winged snowfinch is found in China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Winged Snowfinch
    (Montifringilla adamsi)
    The black-winged snowfinch is found in China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-winged snowfinch is found from southern Europe through central Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Winged Snowfinch
    (Montifringilla nivalis)
    The white-winged snowfinch is found from southern Europe through central Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Saxaul sparrow is found in China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Saxaul Sparrow
    (Passer ammodendri)
    The Saxaul sparrow is found in China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The southern gray-headed sparrow is found in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Southern Gray-Headed Sparrow
    (Passer diffusus)
    The southern gray-headed sparrow is found in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The house sparrow is native to Eurasia and North Africa, but it has been introduced around the world. The house sparrow is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    House Sparrow
    (Passer domesticus)
    The house sparrow is native to Eurasia and North Africa, but it has been introduced around the world. The house sparrow is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The chestnut sparrow is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Chestnut Sparrow
    (Passer eminibey)
    The chestnut sparrow is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The northern gray-headed sparrow is also known as the common gray-headed sparrow. It is found in central and southern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Northern Gray-Headed Sparrow
    (Passer griseus)
    The northern gray-headed sparrow is also known as the common gray-headed sparrow. It is found in central and southern Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Spanish sparrow is found in the Mediterranean region and in central and southwest Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Spanish Sparrow
    (Passer hispaniolensis)
    The Spanish sparrow is found in the Mediterranean region and in central and southwest Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Iago sparrow, also known as the Cape Verde or rufous-backed sparrow, is found in Cape Verde. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Iago Sparrow
    (Passer iagoensis)
    The Iago sparrow, also known as the Cape Verde or rufous-backed sparrow, is found in Cape Verde. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Sudan golden sparrow is found in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Sudan Golden Sparrow
    (Passer luteus)
    The Sudan golden sparrow is found in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Cape sparrow is found in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Cape Sparrow
    (Passer melanurus)
    The Cape sparrow is found in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Dead Sea sparrow is found in Afghanistan, Cyprus, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, and Türkiye. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Dead Sea Sparrow
    (Passer moabiticus)
    The Dead Sea sparrow is found in Afghanistan, Cyprus, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, and Türkiye. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Eurasian tree sparrow is native to Eurasia and Southeast Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Eurasian Tree Sparrow
    (Passer montanus)
    The Eurasian tree sparrow is native to Eurasia and Southeast Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The southern rufous sparrow, also known as the great sparrow, is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Southern Rufous-Sparrow
    (Passer motitensis)
    The southern rufous sparrow, also known as the great sparrow, is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Sind sparrow is found in India and Pakistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Sind Sparrow
    (Passer pyrrhonotus)
    The Sind sparrow is found in India and Pakistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Kenya rufous-sparrow is found in Kenya and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Kenya Rufous-Sparrow
    (Passer rufocinctus)
    The Kenya rufous-sparrow is found in Kenya and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The African desert sparrow is found in Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    African Desert Sparrow
    (Passer simplex)
    The African desert sparrow is found in Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Swahili sparrow is found in Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Swahili Sparrow
    (Passer suahelicus)
    The Swahili sparrow is found in Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Swainson's sparrow is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Swainson's Sparrow
    (Passer swainsonii)
    Swainson's sparrow is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The russet sparrow, also known as the cinnamon or cinnamon tree sparrow, is found in Bhutan, China, India, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Russet Sparrow
    (Passer cinnamomeus)
    The russet sparrow, also known as the cinnamon or cinnamon tree sparrow, is found in Bhutan, China, India, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The rock sparrow is found in southern Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern and central Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rock Sparrow
    (Petronia petronia)
    The rock sparrow is found in southern Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern and central Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The sociable weaver is found in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Sociable Weaver
    (Philetairus socius)
    The sociable weaver is found in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Donaldson-smith's sparrow-weaver is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Donaldson-Smith's Sparrow-Weaver
    (Plocepasser donaldsoni)
    Donaldson-smith's sparrow-weaver is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The white-browed sparrow-weaver is found in Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Browed Sparrow-Weaver
    (Plocepasser mahali)
    The white-browed sparrow-weaver is found in Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The gray-headed social-weaver is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Gray-Headed Social-Weaver
    (Pseudonigrita arnaudi)
    The gray-headed social-weaver is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-capped social-weaver is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Capped Social-Weaver
    (Pseudonigrita cabanisi)
    The black-capped social-weaver is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

The house sparrow is one of the species found in this family.
The house sparrow is one of the species found in this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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