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House Sparrow

Passer domesticus
House Sparrow

These birds are native to Eurasia, but have been introduced to other parts of the world, making them incredibly common.

Sam Crowe
Updated: March 22, 2023
Birds IDENTIFICATION

From an introduction into New York City, the adaptable House Sparrow has expanded to occupy most of the coterminous U.S. and southern Canada. A diet of grains and weed seeds, and a tolerance for close human habitation have contributed to the House Sparrow’s success.

Very social in nature, House Sparrows occur in flocks during the winter, and even nest close together, defending only a small area immediately around their nest. Males chase other males away from the nest, and females chase other females away.

 

Description of the House Sparrow

BREEDING MALE

The House Sparrow is a plump sparrow with reddish-brown to brown wings, usually seen in chirping flocks near buildings.

Males have a gray cap, speckled to solid black throat and breast, white cheek, and reddish wings with a large white patch.  Length: 6 in.  Wingspan: 9.5 in.

Female

Females have all brownish wings and upperparts with a tan eyeline and dingy, gray-brown breast.

House Sparrow

Seasonal change in appearance

Males have more black on the throat and breast in the breeding season.  The cheek patch is whiter in the breeding season, and grayer the rest of the year.

Juvenile

Similar to adult females.

Habitat

Farms, cities, and suburbs.  Usually found near buildings and human habitation.

Diet

Mostly seeds, along with some insects.

House Sparrow

Behavior

House Sparrows forage on the ground or in weed patches, in flocks except during the breeding season.

Range

Native to Eurasia and North Africa, the House Finch was introduced to New York in 1851 and has since spread to occupy virtually all of the U.S. and southern Canada. Its population is showing a decline in the U.S.

Fun Facts

The House Sparrow is declining in its native Britain, and a large cash prize has been offered to anyone who can prove the reason for the decline.

Vocalizations

A series of chirps, all very similar and considered tiresome by some observers but pleasant by others.

 

Similar Species

  • Males are distinctive, while females are very nondescript and could be confused with a female cowbird or House Finch.Brown-headed Cowbird
    The Brown-headed Cowbird has a heavier bill and more uniform apparance.

     

Nesting

House Sparrows build a cup of grasses, weeds, and small twigs, often lined with trash or feathers, in a cavity, nest box, gutter, or other opening.  They often out-compete native songbirds for nest cavities

Number: Usually 3-6 eggs.
Color: White or greenish and spotted with gray and brown.

Incubation and fledging:
Young hatch at about 10-14 days and fledge at about 14 days, though continuing to associate with parents for some time after leaving the nest.

 

Bent Life History of the House Sparrow

Bent Life History will be added shortly.

About the Author

Sam Crowe
Sam is the founder of Birdzilla.com. He has been birding for over 30 years and has a world list of over 2000 species. He has served as treasurer of the Texas Ornithological Society, Sanctuary Chair of Dallas Audubon, Editor of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds" web site and as a contributing editor for Birding Business magazine. Many of his photographs and videos can be found on the site.

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