Snowfinches and Old World Sparrows
Iago Sparrow
Passer iagoensis
- Family
- Snowfinches and Old World Sparrows (Passeridae)
- Order
- Passeriformes
Overview
The Iago sparrow (Passer iagoensis), also known as the Cape Verde or rufous-backed sparrow, is a passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae. It is endemic to the Cape Verde archipelago, in the eastern Atlantic Ocean near western Africa. Females and young birds have brown plumage with black marks above, and a dull grey underside, and are distinguished from other species of sparrow by their large, distinct supercilium. Males have a brighter underside and bold black and chestnut stripes on their head.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
Locally in Cape Verde Islands (except Fogo Island).
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Continents
Countries
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Iago sparrow
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.