Yellow-spotted Petronia

Petronia pyrgita

Other Names

    Moineau à point jaune, Moineau soulcie à gorge tachetée, Moineau soulcie à point jaune   Gelbkehlsperling     Stensparv     Passera lagia gola gialla

World: Africa, local in subsaharan regions around 15°N and to the South through S Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia to NE Uganda, Kenya and northern Tanzania.

Kenya: Widespread, though in small numbers, across most of the country except the highlands and the wetter regions of the western plateau (although it does occur in the Lake Victoria basin). Also absent from the coastal strip S of Malindi.

A member of the Sparrow family (Passeridae), this is a drab, indistinctly marked bird. In some individuals the narrow, white eye-ring and yellow spot on the throat are quite clearly visible. However, the yellow spot isn't normally visible except when the bird is calling and it may be completely absent. The eye-ring is a similar story, sometimes it is very clear but more usually, as in the bird pictured above, it is broken and indistinct. They can be confused with juveniles of the genus Passer but can be distinguished by the bill colour which is always pale (and may appear pink) in the Yellow-spotted Petronia.

These birds are primarily associated with trees (where they nest in cavities) although they will also perch on rocks. They descend to the ground to feed in pairs or small groups. They are less gregarious and conspicuous than other sparrows and are also far more quiet.