The Status Of Sparrows In Lesotho, Southern Africa

Abstract There are three Passer species in Lesotho: House Sparrow P. domesticus, Cape Sparrow P. melanurus, and Grey-headed Sparrow P. diffusus. The House Sparrow is an introduced species, recorded first in Lesotho in 1954. Today, all three species are very numerous (as dominants or subdominants) in urban and rural areas in all ecozones in the country. With an increase of altitude the proportion of Cape Sparrows in relation to the other sparrow species increases, while the reverse is true for the Grey-headed Sparrow. The proportion of House Sparrows appears to be only slightly affected by altitude. In some areas, the House Sparrow may displace the Grey-headed Sparrow.