The taxonomy of your 'chestnut capped House Sparrows' seems to be somewhat muddied at the moment atleast. Known as Italian Sparrow when I used to see them almost 30 years ago now (including in Corfu and Paxos, Greece) they were considered merely a hybrid between Spanish and House Sparrows but now may be a race of Spanish Sparrow (not so sure personally?) or even a full species. I for one have lost track of where it's all up to!
Just back from a great holiday in Sicily. Not a birding trip, but here's what I saw at various places in the west of the island (a few nice sightings):
Swift House martin Swallow House sparrow (they all had chestnut crowns, local ssp. rather than Spanish sparrow?) Sardinian warbler Sedge warbler Serin Linnet Goldfinch Blackbird Blue rock thrush Ring-necked parakeet (loads in Palermo botanic gardens) Magpie Hooded crow Buzzard Great tit Starling sp. Grey wagtail Crested lark Hoopoe Great spotted cuckoo (2 near Selinunte on S. Coast - out of range according to my 1991 Collins field guide and birdguides.com...) Collared dove Woodpigeon Turtle dove (isn't their song quiet!) Feral pigeon Jackdaw Kestrel sp. Little tern Greater flamingo (7 at Trapani salt flats, great place) Avocet Black-winged stilt Little egret Moorhen Yellow legged gull
Will definitely be back, probably Siracusa next time (we stayed at Castellammare del Golfo this time). Anyone got any recommendations?
