House Sparrow

Adult males have a dark grey crown, black bib, chestnut nape, and white cheeks. Females and juveniles (like the one pictured) are duller brownish-grey with buffy underparts and a broad, pale buff eyebrow stripe; juveniles often show a distinct yellowish gape at the corners of the bill.

Stout bill, brown-streaked back, plain greyish-white underparts, and lack of bright colors. Juveniles show a pale bill with yellow gape flanges.

Length: 14–18 cm (5.5–7.1 in), Wingspan: 21–25 cm (8.3–9.8 in), Weight: 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz)

A monotonous series of chirping and chattering notes, usually sounding like 'chhip' or 'chirrup'.

Primarily grains, seeds, and weed seeds, but also feeds insects and table scraps, especially when feeding nestlings.

Urban areas, cities, towns, farms, and agricultural land. It is strictly tied to human-altered environments and rarely found in deep forests or remote deserts.

Non-migratory resident; populations rarely move more than a few kilometers from their birth site.

Builds a messy, dome-shaped nest of dried grass, feathers, and trash in cavities, crevices of buildings, or tree holes. Lays clutches of 4 to 6 eggs, breeding multiple times per year.

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus), which has a chestnut-brown crown and a distinct black patch on each white cheek; various female sparrows or finches.

Acts as an important seed disperser and insect controller in urban and agricultural environments, though it can sometimes outcompete native cavity-nesting birds.

Least Concern (LC), though populations have experienced declines in parts of its native European range due to modern agricultural practices and loss of nesting sites.

Look around human-made structures, urban parks, farmyards, and suburban gardens. They are usually very approachable and often gather in noisy flocks.

House Sparrows dust-bathe frequently in dry soil or loose sand to help maintain their feathers and eliminate parasites. They were introduced to North America in Brooklyn, New York, in 1851 to control pest insects.