The first breeding record of Spanish 
Sparrow Passer htspaniolensis in Egypt 
Ahmed M Riad 
During a previous visit (20-26 March 1993) to Kharga, Dakhla, Farafra 
and Baharya Oases in Egypt's Western Desert, I noted that House 
Sparrov^s Passer domesticus were fairly common in the Kharga and 
Baharya Oases, whilst large numbers of Spanish Sparrows P.hispan- 
iolensis were found tiiroughout the Dakla Oasis. There were a number 
of nests and birds were also seen gathering nesting material, display- 
ing, courting and mating. The Farafra Oasis held no sparrows at all. 
On a recent trip to the four oases (14-20 March 1995) my earlier obser- 
vations were confirmed. Spanish Sparrow was numerous in Dakhla 
Oasis, where hundreds of nests were found chiefly in casuarina, euca- 
lyptus, ficus and acacia with some trees having more than 30 nests. 
Birds breeding in acacia were gathering nesting material from other 
tree species. Interestingly no House Sparrows were seen. Spanish 
Sparrows nest in various types of tree, but not usually in houses. This 
constitutes the first definite breeding record of the species in Egypt (see 
Goodman & Meininger 1989). The reason why this particular oasis was 
chosen for breeeding and why there is now such a marked absence of 
House Sparrows remains intangible and requires further investigation. 
The same visit also confirmed other earlier records, particularly the 
expansion of breeding birds into the Dakhla Oasis: Little Bittern 
Ixobn/chus minutus (Dakhla and Farafra), Black-winged Stilt Hirmntopus 
himantopus (abundant). Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus (com- 
mon). Clamorous Reed Warbler A. stentoreus (very common at Dakhla 
and Farafra), Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida (abundant). 
Blackbird Turdus merula (very common), White-tailed Plover Vanellus 
leucurus (winter visitor, maximum 15 Dakhla) and the unexpected 
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus (one pair Dakhla). 
References 
Goodman, S.M. & Meininger, P.L. (eds) (1989) The birds of Egypt. Oxford 
University Press. 
Ahmed M. Riad, 2 Granada St, Apt. 17, Roxy Square, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt. 
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