
January 2025
Bird of the Month
House Sparrow
by Carolyn Preston
The House Sparrow is one of the most common birds and can be found all across North America except Alaska and far northern Canada. It is a small bird, with a length of 6.3 inches, and a weight of .85-1.39 ounces. The House Sparrow originated in the Middle East and spread across the world. It was introduced into Brooklyn, New York in 1851 from England, intended to control the ravages of the linden moth. The House Sparrow was among the first animals to be given a scientific name, first noted in 1758.
House Sparrows are closely associated with people and their buildings. They prefer to nest in manmade structures such as eaves or walls of buildings, streetlights and nest boxes. They hop along the ground and can be easily attracted with food. They take frequent dust baths, throwing soil and dust over their body feathers. They eat mostly grains and seeds or in cities, discarded food. They will also eat crops such as corn and oats, and wild foods such as crabgrass and buckwheat. They are also able to catch insects in the air, pounce on them or visiting lights at dusk.
House Sparrows in flocks have a pecking order. You can decipher the standings by paying attention to the black throats of the males. Males with larger patches of black tend to be older and dominant over males with less black. When males display to a prospective mate, they fluff up their chest, hold their wings partially open, fan the tail, and hop stiffly in front of the female. Males dominant most of the year, but females assert themselves in spring and summer.
Because they are so common, House Sparrows are of low conservation concern. The oldest recorded House Sparrow was a female and at least 15 years, 9 months when she was found in Texas.

Nestling

Nest and Chicks

House Sparrow Juvenile

House Sparrow Female

House Sparrow Breeding Male