Desert Sparrow

Passer simplex (Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823)

Desert Sparrow, Passer simplex, is a bird of the sparrow family that breeds in northern Africa. It occurs in Saharan oases, wadis and towns from south-eastern Morocco east to central and south-eastern Libya, and south through Mauritania to central Sudan. It is a bird of some of the driest parts of the Sahara. It is known to come close to people and may nest in muddy walls. In some places, local people make openings in their walls for it, and it is linked with good news when it stays near homes or camps.

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Passeridae — Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches

Breeding range

Africa: n Africa in Saharan oases, wadis and towns: se Morocco e to c, se Libya, s through Mauritania and e to c Sudan