Cape Sparrow
Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa · CC BY 2.0

Snowfinches and Old World Sparrows

Cape Sparrow

Passer melanurus

LCLeast Concern
Family
Snowfinches and Old World Sparrows (Passeridae)
Order
Passeriformes

Overview

The Cape sparrow (Passer melanurus), or mossie, is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae found in southern Africa. A medium-sized sparrow at 14–16 centimetres (5.5–6.3 in), it has distinctive plumage, including large pale head stripes in both sexes. Its plumage is mostly grey, brown, and chestnut, and the male has some bold black and white markings on its head and neck. The species inhabits semi-arid savannah, cultivated areas, and towns, and ranges from the central coast of Angola to eastern South Africa and Eswatini.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Range and habitat

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.