Abd al-Kuri sparrow

Abd al-Kuri sparrow
Female (above) and male (below) in an illustration by Henrik Grönvold
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Passeridae
Genus:	Passer
Species:	P. hemileucus
Binomial name
Passer hemileucus Ogilvie-Grant & Forbes, 1899
Distribution

The Abd al-Kuri sparrow (Passer hemileucus) is a passerine bird endemic to the small island of Abd al Kuri. The sparrows are located primarily in the Socotra archipelago of the Indian Ocean, in Yemen, which is off the Horn of Africa. Their environment consists of shrubland and rocky areas with inland cliffs and mountain peaks. ^[2] Though this species was originally described as a distinct species, it was considered conspecific with the Socotra sparrow. ^[3] The sparrow is also referred to by its English name, Abd al-Kuri, or its Dutch, Middle Name, Abd al-Kuri Mus. ^[2] A study by Guy Kirwan showed significant differences from the Socotra sparrow, and that the two sparrows might even have different origins. ^[4] On the evidence that it is morphologically distinct, BirdLife International (and hence the IUCN Red List) recognised it as a species, ^{[1] [5]} and it was listed in the IOC World Bird List from December 2009. ^[6] It has a very restricted distribution, and a population of under 1,000 individuals, so despite not having any known threats it is considered a Vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List. ^{[1] [5]}

Taxonomy

The sparrow is in the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Aves, Order Passeriformes, Family Passeridae, and Genus Passer. The sparrow's scientific name is Passer hemileucus. ^[2]

Description

The male sparrow is brown and gray and has a streak on its back. ^[2] It is 13-14cm tall, with a chestnut brown eyebrow arch downward curve behind its ears, and a black stripe curving around the back of its ears. ^[2] The female is smaller than the male and is pale brown with dark brown underparts. ^[2] The female, compared to the male, is smaller in size. ^[2]

Habitat and Distribution

The Abd al Kuri is endemic to its small island of Abd al Kuri, which is located in the Socotra Archipelago, Yemen. ^[2] The sparrow lives in dry, rocky areas. ^[2] Its habitat is found on scrub-covered slopes or gullies on the island. ^[2] The Abd al Kuri has a recorded range from sea level up to the island's higher points. ^[2]

References

1. BirdLife International (2016). "Passer hemileucus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 e.T22735599A95115321. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22735599A95115321.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
2. "IUCN Red List".
3. Summers-Smith 1988 , p. 92
4. Kirwan, Guy M. (2008). "Studies of Socotran Birds III. Morphological and mensural evidence for a 'new' species in the Rufous Sparrow Passer motitensis complex endemic to the island of Abd 'Al Kuri, with the validation of Passer insularis Sclater & Hartlaub, 1881". Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club . 128 (2): 83–93.
5. BirdLife International (2010). "Species factsheet: Passer hemileucus" . Retrieved 24 June 2010.
6. Gill, F.; Donsker, D., eds. (10 July 2011). "Species Updates – IOC Version 2.3". IOC World Bird List Version 2.9. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2011.

Works cited

• Balfour, I. B.; Forbes, Henry O. (1903). "The Birds of Abd-el-Kuri". In Forbes, Henry O. (ed.). The Natural History of Sokotra and Abd-el-kuri. London: R. H. Porter.
• Ogilvie-Grant, W. R.; Forbes, Henry O. (May 1899). "The Expedition to Socotra I. Descriptions of the New Species of Birds". Bulletin of the Liverpool Museums Under the City Council. II (I).
• Summers-Smith, J. Denis (1988). The Sparrows . illustrated by Robert Gillmor. Calton, Staffs, England: T. & A. D. Poyser. ISBN   0-85661-048-8.