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Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) — photo 1 of 3
© Yiwenyiwen CC BY-SA 4.0

Sparrows · Perching birds

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Passer montanus

Year-round

Voice

Song

Max Karlsson

0:19

Alarm

Jochem verweij

0:24

Call

Latal

2:00

How to recognize it

  • Smaller than a house sparrow, about 12.5–14 cm

  • Rich chestnut crown; white cheeks with a black ear patch

  • Small black throat bib, no grey head

  • Two narrow white wing bars; harsh teck call

About the species

The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is a small, plain-looking sparrow with a warm chestnut cap and clear black spots on white cheeks. In everyday life, it is easier to notice by its behavior and voice than by color.

It usually moves in flocks, hopping rather than walking, and gives a short, sharp chirp. In the breeding season, it switches strongly to animal food for its young, taking insects, larvae, spiders, and other small invertebrates.

It fits edges of towns, gardens, parks, open countryside, and light woodland. It feeds on seeds, grain, and fruits, and in northern parts of its range some populations move south for winter.

Did you know?

  • Squatters in sand martin tunnels

    Tree Sparrows commonly raise broods inside abandoned tunnels of active Sand Martin colonies, where they are one of the most regular avian squatters alongside House Sparrows and Starlings.

  • Courts the female one-on-one

    Unlike the noisy group courtship of the House Sparrow, the Tree Sparrow woos quietly and alone: the male hops respectfully around the female with his tail cocked, barely a step away, with no four or five rivals around.

  • Paired for life, even in flocks

    A Tree Sparrow pair forms for life, and even in the biggest roaming flocks the partners keep apart from the rest of the birds.

Where to find

  • In mature parks and old courtyards with hollow trees — near trunks and nest boxes, where a sharp, nasal chirp comes from the canopy.

  • Along canal banks, pond edges and slow river margins — in reed patches and by willows, when a small flock is hopping on the ground for seeds.

  • Under roofs, in gaps in old buildings and beneath cornices — especially in spring, when pairs carry grass and feathers into cracks.

  • On open lawns, vacant lots and along the edge of quiet cemeteries — where they feed on the ground and dart back into cover.

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Sources