Eurasian Tree Sparrow

The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is a compact, active little bird closely related to the House Sparrow but noticeably smaller and neater in pattern. Both sexes look alike, unlike House Sparrows, sporting a rich chestnut-brown crown and nape, a black bib, and a distinctive black spot on an otherwise clean white cheek.

The upperparts are streaked brown and black, and the bird shows a narrow white collar around the neck. Overall it appears trimmer and more delicately marked than the bulkier, more urban House Sparrow.

Key field marks

• Chestnut-brown crown and nape (both sexes alike, unlike House Sparrow's sexually dimorphic plumage)
• Clean white cheeks with a bold black spot
• Small black bib, smaller and neater than the House Sparrow's
• White collar around the hindneck

Similar species

The House Sparrow has a grey crown (not chestnut) and lacks the black cheek spot; male and female House Sparrows differ markedly while Tree Sparrow sexes look alike. Tree Sparrows are also slightly smaller and more active.

Range

Breeds across most of Europe and temperate Asia, from Ireland east to Japan and Southeast Asia; introduced and locally established in parts of North America and Australia.

Habitat

Favors farmland, hedgerows, orchards, open woodland edges, and villages; in much of Asia it is the common sparrow of towns and cities, filling the urban niche occupied by House Sparrows elsewhere.

Migration

Mostly resident or a short-distance migrant, with northern and eastern populations moving south in the harshest winters.

Behavior

Gregarious outside the breeding season, forming flocks that often mix with House Sparrows, finches, and buntings at feeding sites. Feeds mainly on the ground and forages actively among stubble and hedgerows.

Voice

Calls include a sharp, hard "tek-tek" and a distinctive hard "teck teck" flight call, higher-pitched and more staccato than the House Sparrow's chirp; the song is a simple repetition of chirping notes.

Feeding

Eats mainly seeds and grain, switching to insects and other invertebrates when feeding nestlings.

Nesting and breeding

Nests in cavities such as tree holes, cliffs, and building crevices, sometimes in loose colonies. Lays 4-6 eggs, and pairs may raise two or three broods per season.