
Photo: (c) egorbirder, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Passer ammodendri
Range
Parts of Central Asia
Size
14–16cm
Weight
25–32g
The saxaul sparrow is one of the larger sparrows, 14–16 centimetres long and weighing 25–32 grams. Wing length varies from 7.1 to 8.1 centimetres, with males generally larger, and the tail is short. Both sexes range from dull grey to sandy brown with pale brown legs. Females are less boldly coloured and lack the pattern of black stripes on the male's head. The bill is black on the breeding male, pale yellowish with a black tip on the breeding female and pale grey on the juvenile. (Wikipedia, general species account)
The head markings make the saxaul sparrow distinctive and unlikely to be confused with any other bird. It is found in parts of Central Asia. Its vocalisations include a comparatively soft and musical chirping call, a song and a flight call. Like all other sparrows, it flies swiftly and often at height. (Wikipedia, general species account)