Passer domesticus

House sparrows feed mainly on seeds, but in the breeding season the adults will take some animal matter (mainly insects), and feed their young on insects for the first part of the nestling period (9). It is a regular visitor to garden bird tables and feeders (5). This sociable species nests in colonies, the untidy feather-lined nests are built in crevices and holes in buildings, tree holes and nest boxes (4). House sparrows are also known to occasionally evict other species of birds from their nests, subsequently occupying them (6). During the breeding season, house sparrows mate very frequently, so much so that their eggs were once highly prized as aphrodisiacs (6). After May, 3-5 whitish, blotched eggs are laid (4). The female incubates the eggs for up to 14 days, after which time both parents share the task of feeding the young for around 15 days (4). Three or more broods may be produced every breeding season (4). The gregarious nature of this sparrow is often most obvious during winter, when most activities including feeding, roosting and bathing, are carried out in groups or large flocks (5).

The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is native to Eurasia and the northern edge of the African continent, but is now found in most regions of the world where humans live. This species is mainly associated with humans, living around buildings in settings ranging from isolated rural farms to major urban centers, although population density and breeding success are generally higher in suburban environments than in cities or rural areas.

House Sparrows have a mainly vegetarian diet, feeding especially on weed and grass seeds or waste grain, but also on buds, berries, and a range of scraps from humans. During the summer, animal material can account for as much as 10% of the diet and, as opportunists, House Sparrows may take small frogs. mollusks, and crustaceans where available. Nestlings are fed mainly insects for the first few days after hatching .

House Sparrows generally occur in flocks, often quite large ones outside the breeding season. Breeding is mainly in loose colonies of 10 to 20 pairs. Nest building is initiated by an unmated male, but assisted by his mate after pair formation. Nests are typically built in artificial or natural cavities or crevices. These birds are remarkably catholic in their choice of a nest site, with nests reported from moving machinery and even from 640 m below ground in a coal mine in England. Clutch size is typically 3 to 6 eggs. Incubation (for 10 to 14 days) is by both parents. Both parents also feed the nestlings, which leave the nest around two weeks after hatching. Two or three clutches are typically produced each year.

House Sparrows are non-migratory over most of their native and introduced range. This species is among the more abundant birds in the world: the total European population in the 1980s and 1990s probably exceeded 50,000,000 breeding pairs, with an estimated world total of around 500,000,000 pairs. However, significant population declines have been reported in recent years over parts of the native and introduced range (although range expansion elsewhere has continued).

(Kaufman 1996; Summers-Smith 2009 and references therein)

The sparrow is one of Britain's most well-known and best-loved birds. Both sexes have a brown back streaked with black. Males and females are easily distinguished; males have a black bib, a grey crown with chestnut sides, and white cheeks. Females and juveniles have a duskier appearance, and lack the black bib seen in males (2). It is a very vocal species, producing a great range of familiar chattering and chirping, and a 'cher'r'r' when squabbling (2).

A medium-sized (6 inches) Old World sparrow, the male House Sparrow is most easily identified by its mottled brown back, gray belly and crown, black “bib,” white cheeks, and chestnut head patches. Females are mottled gray-brown overall with a faint pale eye stripe. This species may be confused with a several other brownish species of Old World sparrows, but is almost unmistakable in areas where it occurs alone. House Sparrows are unrelated to similarly-patterned New World “sparrows,” which are in the same family as the Old-World buntings. The House Sparrow is native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of West and South Asia. Today, this species inhabits almost every temperate and subtropical locality on earth as a result of introductions by humans. Notable releases include that of around one hundred birds in Brooklyn, NY in the early 1850s, after which began the House Sparrow’s colonization of the United States and southern Canada. Other non-native populations exist in southern South America, South Africa, Australasia, and on oceanic islands around the world. Some House Sparrows in Central Asia migrate short distances south during the winter, while native and non-native populations elsewhere are non-migratory. House Sparrows inhabit an extraordinary variety of habitats around the world, including subtropical forests, dry deserts, temperate forests, and grasslands. This species is particularly successful at utilizing human-altered environments, and is found in high concentrations in agricultural and urban areas where food and man-made nesting sites are plentiful. House Sparrows primarily eat seeds and grains, including important cereal crops, although this species will also eat insects during the summer. In temperate and subtropical parts of the world, the House Sparrow is often one of the most visible bird species, particularly in urban areas. House Sparrows may be observed foraging for food in fields, hedgerows, parks, and even on bare sidewalk. This species is a cavity nester, and, as its name suggests, is particularly attracted to nesting in the eaves of buildings. House Sparrows are primarily active during the day.

Threat Status: Least concern

The House Sparrow is distributed worldwide (excluding the Poles). It is native to Eurasia and North Africa. It was introduced into S. Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and America. Its introduction into North America occured in 1851, when a group of 100 birds from England was released in Brooklyn, New York.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Introduced ); palearctic (Native ); ethiopian (Native ); neotropical (Introduced ); australian (Introduced )

Global Range: (>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)) Native to Old World (northern Scandinavia and northern Siberia south to northern Africa, Arabia, India, and southeast Asia). Introduced and established as a resident from the north coast of British Columbia and southern Yukon to Newfoundland, south to South America, West Indies (including Puerto Rico, where the species is uncommon and local on the south coast and a flock of 60 was found on Isla Mona in 1987), Hawaii (all main islands), south and east Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and many other areas of world (AOU 1998). Expansion continues in South America unaided by humans (Ridgely and Tudor 1989). Accidental (3 records) in Alaska; two vagrants in southeastern Alaska probably came from the North American exotic population, but one from St. Lawrence Island undoubtedly came from an introduced population on the Chukotsk Peninsula (Kessel and D. Gibson, University of Alaska Museum, unpublished records).

House Sparrows are distributed almost worldwide, excluding the polar regions. They are native to the Palearctic and Ethiopian regions and have been introduced to the Nearctic, Neotropical, and Australian regions. Their introduction into North America occured in 1851, when a group of 100 birds from England was released in Brooklyn, New York.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Introduced ); palearctic (Native ); ethiopian (Native ); neotropical (Introduced ); australian (Introduced )

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Widespread throughout Britain, but has undergone a drastic decline during the last 25 years. There are regional differences in the decline, but it has been most severe in the east of England, with a shocking reduction of 90% since 1970 (8). Elsewhere, this cosmopolitan species is found throughout Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, India and Burma, and across central Asia. It has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, and North and South America (4).

House Sparrows are a stout, stocky sparrow, with shorter legs and a thicker bill than native American sparrows. Members of both sexes are brown backed with black streaks throughout this area. Their undersides are pale buff. Males have white cheeks and a black bib, while females do not. The tail is usually three-quarters of the length of the wing. Males are slightly larger than females. Wing length is 76 mm and average mass is 28.5 grams.

Average mass: 28.5 g.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: male more colorful

Average mass: 25.3 g.

The House Sparrow is a stout, stocky sparrow, with shorter legs and a thicker bill than indigenous American sparrows. Members of both sexes are brown backed with black streaks throughout this area. Its underside is pale buff. Males have white cheeks and a black bib, while females do not. The tail is usually three-quarters the length of the wing. Wing length is 76 mm and average mass is 28.5 grams.

Average mass: 28.5 g.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: male more colorful

Average mass: 25.3 g.

Length: 16 cm

Weight: 28 grams

In North America House Sparrows prefer areas that have been modified by humans, including farms, residential areas, and urban areas. They are absent from uninhabited woodlands, deserts, forests, and grasslands.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Systems

• Terrestrial
• Freshwater

House Sparrows like areas that have been modified by humans, including farms, residential, and urban areas. They are absent from uninhabited woodlands, deserts, forests, and grasslands.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Comments: North America: cities, villages, farms, parks. Nests in cavities and in crevices of structures.

Closely associated with permanent human habitations, including farmyards, villages, parks, suburban areas and city centres (4).

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

House sparrows eat various kinds of seeds supplemented by some insects. Rural birds tend to eat more waste seed from animal dung and seed from fields, while urban birds tend to eat more commercial birdseed, weed seed, and human trash. Studies of the contents of house sparrows' stomachs in Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Vermont have shown approximate amounts of seed to be 60% livestock feed (corn, wheat, oats, etc.), 18% cereals (grains from storage or from fields), 17 % weed seed, and 4% Insecta.

Animal Foods: insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods

Plant Foods: seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit

House Sparrows eat various kinds of seed supplemented by some insects. Rural birds tend to eat more waste seed from animal dung and seed from fields, while urban birds tend to eat more commercial birdseed and weed seed. Studies of the contents of House Sparrow stomachs in Alabama, Conn., Illinois, Iowa, Mass., Michigan, Miss., Penn., and Vermont have shown approximate amounts of seed to be 60% livestock feed (corn, wheat, oats, etc.), 18% cereals (grains from storage or from fields), 17 % weed seed, and 4% insects.

Animal Foods: insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods

Plant Foods: seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit

Primary Diet: omnivore

Comments: Eats seeds, grain, and (in summer) insects and other invertebrates and small fruits (Terres 1980).

House sparrows are abundant near human habitations. In these areas they serve as an important prey base for birds of prey and they may have an impact on plant communities because they consume large quantities of seeds. House sparrows seriously impact populations of native birds, such as Sialia, Parus, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota, and some Picoides. House sparrows take over the nesting cavities of native birds, including expelling adults and nestlings by force.

Many Accipitridae and Strigiformes hunt and feed on house sparrows. These include Accipitridae, Falco columbarius, Nyctea scandiaca, Otus asio, and many others. Known predators of nesting young or eggs include Felis silvestris, Canis lupus familiaris, Procyon lotor, and many Squamata. House sparrows avoid predation by foraging in small flocks so that there are many eyes watching out for potential predators.

Known Predators:

• hawks (Accipitridae)
• falcons (Falconidae)
• owls (Strigiformes)
• northern shrikes (Lanius_excubitor)
• domestic cats (Felis_silvestris)
• domestic dogs (Canis_lupus_familiaris)
• raccoons (Procyon_lotor)
• black rat snakes (Elaphe_obsoleta)

In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Animal / parasite / ectoparasite / blood sucker
adult of Oeciacus hirundinis sucks the blood of nestling of Passer domesticus
Other: minor host/prey

Animal / predator
Passer domesticus is predator of adult of Bruchus pisorum

House sparrows are abundant near human habitations. In these areas they serve as an important prey base for birds of prey and they may have an impact on plant communities because they consume large quantities of seeds. House sparrows seriously impact populations of native birds, such as bluebirds, chickadees, cliff swallows, and some woodpeckers. House sparrows take over the nesting cavities of native birds, including expelling adults and nestlings by force.

Many hawks and owls hunt and feed on house sparrows. These include Cooper's hawks, merlins, snowy owls, eastern screech owls, and many others. Known predators of nesting young or eggs include cats, domestic dogs, raccoons, and many snakes. House sparrows avoid predation by foraging in small flocks so that there are many eyes watching out for potential predators.

Known Predators:

• hawks (Accipitridae)
• falcons (Falconidae)
• owls (Strigiformes)
• northern shrikes (Lanius excubitor)
• domestic cats (Felis silvestris)
• domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)
• raccoons (Procyon lotor)
• black rat snakes (Pantherophis obsoletus)

Passer domesticus is prey of:
Strigiformes
Accipitridae
Falconidae
Elaphe obsoleta
Lanius excubitor
Procyon lotor
Felis silvestris
Canis lupus familiaris

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

See Bennett (1990) for information on the ecological relationship between the house sparrow and house finch in North America.

House Sparrows use a set of postures and behaviors to communicate with others of their species. House Sparrows also have a set of vocalizations that are used to attract mates, deter intruders, and warn others.

House Sparrows use a set of postures and behaviors to communicate with others of their species. House Sparrows also have a set of vocalizations that are used to attract mates, deter intruders, and warn others.

A wild House Sparrow lived to be 13 years and 4 months old, though most will live for only several years.

Range lifespan
Status: wild: 13.0 (high) years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 189 months.

A wild House Sparrow lived to be 13 years and 4 months old, though most will live for only several years.

Range lifespan
Status: wild: 13.0 (high) years.

Average lifespan
Status: wild: 189 months.

Maximum longevity: 23 years

Mating System: monogamous

House Sparrows form monogamous pairs for each breeding season. Nests are built between February and May. House Sparrows nest in crevices inside and on buildings, and in coniferous and deciduous trees. Nests are built from dried vegetation, feathers, strings, and paper. Eggs are layed at any time in the nesting period. One to eight eggs can be present in a clutch, though there are usually 5, with the possiblity of four clutches per nesting season. Both males and females incubate the eggs for short periods of a few minutes each. Incubation lasts for 10 to 14 days. After the eggs are hatched, both males and females feed the young through regurgitation.

Breeding season: February through August in North America

Range eggs per season: 1.0 to 8.0.

Average eggs per season: 5.0.

Range time to hatching: 11.0 (high) days.

Average fledging age: 14.0 days.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization (Internal ); oviparous

Average eggs per season: 5.

Both males and females incubate eggs and brood young until they have fledged. Both parents also provide their young with food.

Parental Investment: altricial ; male parental care ; female parental care

Mating System: monogamous

House Sparrows form monogamous pairs for each breeding season. Nests are built between February and May. House Sparrows nest in crevices inside and on buildings, and in coniferous and deciduous trees. Nests are built from dried vegetation, feathers, strings, and paper. Eggs are layed at any time in the nesting period. One to eight eggs can be present in a clutch, with the possiblity of four clutches per nesting season. Incubation begins after all the eggs have been layed. Both males and females incubate the eggs for short periods of a few minutes each. Incubation lasts for 10 to 14 days. After the eggs are hatched, both males and females feed the young through regurgitation.

Breeding season: February through August in North America

Range eggs per season: 1.0 to 8.0.

Average eggs per season: 5.0.

Range time to hatching: 11.0 (high) days.

Average fledging age: 14.0 days.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization (Internal ); oviparous

Average eggs per season: 5.

Both males and females incubate eggs and brood young until they have fledged. Both parents also provide their young with food.

Parental Investment: altricial ; male parental care ; female parental care

In North America, breeding begins earlier in the south than in the north. Clutch size generally averages near 4 in the southern U.S., near 5 in the northern U.S. and southern Canada. In the northern U.S., most females produce 2-3 broods per year; generally clutch initiation occurs about 4-7 days after fledging of a brood, though quicker renesting sometimes occurs. Incubation averages 12 days, mostly by female. Young are tended by both parents, leave nest at an average age of 14-17 days. In various areas of North America, hatching success was 50-83%, fledging success was 53-78%, and nesting success was 31-71% (see Anderson 1994).

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 35
Specimens with Barcodes: 59
Species With Barcodes: 1

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.

There are 32 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.

Download FASTA File

When first introduced into the United States in 1851, house sparrows were protected from predators and fed. However, populations expanded enormously in North America and they were soon considered a nuisance species. Since the 1960's, with the changes in farming to larger, single crop farms, populations have declined. They are not, however, seen as threatened and are not included in most Canadian and U.S. regulations.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

US Migratory Bird Act: no special status

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Contributor/s

Justification

History

• 2008
  Least Concern
• 2004
  Least Concern

When first introduced into the United States in 1851, house sparrows were protected from predators and fed. However, populations expanded enormously in North America and they were soon considered a nuisance species. Since the 1960's, with the changes in farming to larger, single crop farms, populations have declined. They are not, however, seen as threatened and are not included in most Canadian and U.S. regulations.

US Migratory Bird Act: no special status

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Resident breeder.

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Included in the Birds of Conservation Concern Red List (high conservation concern) (9). The house sparrow has undergone a drastic decline in the last 25 years; this is cause for conservation concern (3).

Suggested reasons for the decline of house sparrows include predation by domestic cats, changes in agricultural practices including the loss of seeds in winter and autumn, stricter rules concerning seed storage, (resulting in sealing of buildings) diseases spread at garden feeding stations, pollution (7), and loss of invertebrates to feed chicks in urban areas (9).

Management Requirements: Monofilament lines can be used to repel house sparrows from feeding sites (Aguero et al. 1991). Monofilament lines may delay initial acceptance of nest boxes, or inhibit their use somewhat, but do not affect breeding success of birds using boxes with monofilament lines (Pochop et al. 1993).

The decline in numbers of the house sparrow is of such great concern, that this bird has been 'upgraded' to the Birds of Conservation Concern Red List. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is currently running a house sparrow appeal, in order to raise funds to carry out research and monitoring of the species in order to understand the pattern of decline (8). House sparrow numbers have more than halved over the past 25 years. To help find out why, the RSPB asked for volunteers across the country to take part in a survey of house sparrows. The survey, which ran from the 3-11 May 2003, saw a quarter of a million participants and just over 1 million house sparrows seen. A UK city league table for house sparrows was produced from the results collected. Lincoln came top with an average of 9.41 sparrows seen per home. London came last with an average of only 4.53 sparrows per home (9).

Because of their preference for human-modified habitats, house sparrows are considered a nuisance species, an aggressive competitor with native birds, and an agricultural pest. Large aggregations around buildings produce annoying noise and large quantities of feces.

Negative Impacts: crop pest; household pest

House sparrows are well-suited for studies of general biological problems, such as the way animals evolve and pest control.

Positive Impacts: research and education

Because of their preference for human-modified habitats, house sparrows are considered a nuisance species, an aggressive competitor with native birds, and an agricultural pest. Large aggregations around buildings produce annoying noise and large quantities of feces.

Negative Impacts: crop pest; household pest

House sparrows are well-suited for studies of general biological problems, such as the way animals evolve and pest control.

Positive Impacts: research and education