House Sparrow

Adult males have a dark grey crown, chestnut nape, black bib (throat), and white cheeks, with grey underparts and chestnut-and-black patterned upperparts. Females and juveniles are duller, grey-brown overall with a buffy supercilium and lack the distinctive male head markings.

Stocky build, stout yellowish-grey bill, brownish-grey underparts, and (in males) the distinct black bib and grey cap.

Length: 14-18 cm, Wingspan: 21-25 cm, Weight: 24-39 g

A repetitive, monotonous series of chirps and cheeps that vary slightly in pitch and intensity.

Primarily seeds and grains, but also insects and scraps of human food, especially during the breeding season.

Urban and suburban areas, farms, agricultural fields, and towns; rarely found far from human habitation.

Non-migratory (resident), though local movements can occur in search of food during winter.

Builds a messy, dome-shaped nest of dried vegetation, feathers, and string in cavities, under roof tiles, or in tree branches. Clutch size is typically 3-7 eggs, raised by both parents.

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus), which has a chestnut crown and a distinct black patch on each white cheek.

Acts as an important consumer of weed seeds and insects, though large populations can compete with native cavity-nesting birds.

IUCN Least Concern, with stable or slowly declining populations in parts of its introduced range.

Look around human settlements, farms, parks, and city centers. They are exceptionally bold and frequently feed on the ground in flocks.

House Sparrows dust-bathe frequently in dry soil or sand, which helps rid their feathers of excess oil and parasites.