Spanish Sparrow

The Spanish or willow sparrow is a rather large sparrow, 15–16 cm long and 22–36 g, found in the Mediterranean region and south-west and central Asia. It is slightly larger and heavier than the house sparrow with a longer, stouter bill. The male resembles the house sparrow but has heavily black-streaked underparts and a chestnut rather than grey crown. The source does not describe its status in China. (Wikipedia, general species account)

Two subspecies are recognised, the western hispaniolensis and the eastern transcaspicus, with little visible difference in worn breeding plumage. Each pair lays three to eight eggs, and the maximum recorded age is 11 years. (Wikipedia, general species account)