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House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) — photo 1 of 4
© Terragio67 CC BY-SA 4.0

Sparrows · Perching birds

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Year-round

Voice

Call

Sonothèque ADVL

0:34

Call

Joost van Bruggen

0:32

Song

Benoît Van Hecke

0:35

How to recognize it

  • Size of a pigeon, stout body with a short tail.

  • Male has a dark grey head with a black "bib".

  • Female has a white underbelly and brown upperparts with a pale stripe above the eye.

  • Frequent short chirping, resembling ongoing conversation.

About the species

House sparrows are often noticed for their lively antics and easygoing demeanor. Their muted gray and brown plumage blends into urban landscapes, but their constant chirping makes them stand out as they chat with each other or stake claims on territory. In bustling city settings, these little ones quickly capture attention, flitting onto tree branches or hopping along sidewalks in their quest for food.

They gather in flocks, interacting with one another and sometimes competing for scraps, which adds an engaging layer to their presence. You'll typically find them foraging on the ground, where their strong beaks enable them to uncover seeds and leftovers. Occasionally, you might spot them scavenging near outdoor dining areas, hoping for discarded treats.

These sparrows thrive in urban environments, where they benefit from abundant food, t

Did you know?

  • How the Italian sparrow was born

    Around 1600 BCE house sparrows followed humans across the Alps into Italy and interbred so persistently with Spanish sparrows that the hybrids stabilized into a separate species — the Italian sparrow.

  • Sparrows raised in a coal mine

    A family of house sparrows lived for many generations in a coal mine hundreds of metres underground, feeding on food the miners brought down with them.

  • Two cents per dead sparrow

    By 1889 house sparrows had multiplied so prolifically across North America that county and state authorities paid two cents per dead bird, and hunters banded together into "sparrow clubs".

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Sources