House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Genus · True Sparrows Family · Old World Sparrows
Observation tips Difficulty: EASY
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
FarmlandHedgesUrban

Look for them near houses and outdoor cafes. If the bird has a grey cap and a black bib, it is a male House Sparrow.

House Sparrow

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan21–25 cm
Weight24–40 g
Length14–18 cm
Lifespan wild3–12 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCavity
Clutch size3–7 eggs
Incubation11–14 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationResident
Social BehaviourFlocking

Diet: Omnivore

🌾Grain
🍕Human food
🦗Insects
🍃Plants
🌻Seeds

Habitat

🚜 Farmland🏡 Garden🏙️ Urban
✦ Fun Fact

Unlike many migratory birds, House Sparrows rarely travel far. Many remain within just a few kilometres of their birthplace throughout their lives.

About

One of the most familiar birds in the world. The House Sparrow is almost entirely dependent on human buildings. It is a chunky, social bird with a thick bill. While once ubiquitous, populations have declined in many European cities due to modern building styles.

Behaviour

House Sparrows are highly social and nest in loose colonies in building holes or ivy. They are famous for 'dust-bathing' to deter parasites. They are opportunistic feeders that eat seeds and scraps. They communicate constantly with simple chirps and rattles.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Features a grey crown, a chestnut nape, and a distinct black bib. His cheeks are white and his back is heavily streaked with brown.

♀ Female

Much plainer than the male. She has a sandy-brown back and a pale, unstreaked breast. She has a prominent pale eyebrow.

Similar species

Eurasian Tree Sparrow
🐦
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanus
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