Abd al-Kuri sparrow

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. Though this species was originally described as a distinct species, it was considered conspecific with the Socotra sparrow. The sparrow is also referred to by its English name, Abd al-Kuri, or its Dutch, Middle Name, Abd al-Kuri Mus. A study by Guy Kirwan suggested that there are differences between the Abd al-Kuri sparrow and the Socotra sparrow. On the evidence that it is morphologically distinct, BirdLife International (and hence the IUCN Red List) recognised it as a species, and it was listed in the IOC World Bird List from December 2009. It has a restricted distribution, and a population of under 1,000 individuals.