House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

This resident bird was once a common sight in our gardens, towns and wider countryside; but like many other common birds it is now struggling to survive in the UK.

Habitat

House Sparrows can be found in many different habitats including, farmland and urban areas including gardens, farms, villages and parks. They can be seen visiting bird tables in gardens.

Description

A small, but stocky bird the males and females are different from each other, the only similarity they have is a stout bill designed for eating seeds. Males have a grey crown and nape, and only the sides of the head are brown. It has a large black bib that extends down onto the chest. The back is a rich brown streaked with black and often has a few white wing feathers. Females, and juveniles, are more sandy brown in colour with brown and grey streaks on the back and wings.

Biology

Seeds make up the main part of the diet, but during the breeding season the adults will eat, and feed to their chicks, small insects.

House Sparrows are highly sociable and this is most noticeable during winter when they gather in large flocks to feed, bathe and roost. They also nest in colonies using crevices and holes in buildings, tree holes and nest boxes. Nests are made with dry grass or straw and lined with feathers, hair and even string.

Towards the end of May up to five eggs are laid, the female incubates them for about 2 weeks and then both parents feed the young in the nest until they fledge about 15 days later. Once they have left the nest the parents care for the young for another 2 weeks. It is not unusual for House Sparrows to have three broods each year. Pairs are faithful to their nest site and to each other for life.

Juvenile House Sparrows gather in large flocks outside the breeding area where they can find a plentiful supply of food. These are areas rich in grass and weed seeds. They move on to grain fields once they start to ripen, and are joined by the adults once breeding has finished.

Threats

The House Sparrow has undergone a massive decline in the past 25 years, in east England numbers are thought to have declined by 90%. This is mainly due to decreased seed availability due to changes in agricultural practices especially the loss of seed in autumn and winter, and stricter seed storage.

Conservation

House sparrows are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it illegal to intentionally kill, injure or take a house sparrow, or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents. The provision to control house sparrows under a general licence was removed from the Act in early 2005 in England, making the species fully protected in England.