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661 Featured Specimen
House sparrow

Details

House sparrow

Passer domesticus

Size
14–18 cm · 24–40 g
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Sociality
Herd
Lifespan

A small sparrow closely tied to houses and farms, spread worldwide through its ability to live around people.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
PalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticPalearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNearcticNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalAfrotropicalAfrotropicalAfrotropicalAfrotropicalIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanIndomalayanAustralasianAustralasianAustralasianAustralasianAustralasianAustralasianAustralasianAustralasianAustralasianAustralasianAustralasianAustralasianAustralasianAustralasianAustralasianAustralasianAustralasian

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

Lives in cities, villages, farmland, ranches, and parks, especially where buildings and human food resources are available.

Appearance

Males have gray crowns, brown backs, and black throats. Females and young birds are plainer brown with fewer bold markings.

Behavior

Small flocks hop on the ground and rest in building gaps or shrubs, often feeding boldly near people.

Feeding

Seeds, grain, grass seeds, insects, and crumbs are eaten, while chicks receive many insects.

Reproduction

Grass and feather nests are built in building holes, roofs, or nest boxes, with several broods possible in a season.

Notes

Common globally, but some regions report declines linked to changes in urban habitats.