House sparrow
Passer domesticus
Conservation status: Red listed – Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981
When to see: January to December
About
House sparrows are small, plump bird with brown-grey feathers that are streaked with black. Males have distinctive black bibs on their throats. They are social birds, often seen in flocks. Their distinct chirping is a common sound in urban areas where they thrive around people. Known as the “common sparrow,” house sparrow populations have been declining since the ’90s. This is partly due to a combination of habitat loss, food shortages and pollution. Gardens with hedges, bushy shrub cover and small trees can help these little birds make a comeback.
Female sparrow
Like adult house sparrows, juveniles have brown and grey plumage on their backs and wings which looks fluffy, their underparts are white or pale grey. Unlike adults, male juveniles do not have black bibs or throat markings. Juvenile house sparrows typically leave their nests within two weeks after hatching but may continue to be fed by the parents for up to several weeks until they are fully independent. Their diet mainly consists of insects and seeds, which they forage on the ground or in low vegetation.
Juvenile sparrow
| See also different: | Garden birds |
