Passer domesticus

List of Fact Sheets | Glossary

Search | Back Home

Family

Passeridae

Genus

Passer

Species

domestica

Common Names

House Sparrow, English Sparrow

Distinguishing Features

House Sparrows are small birds, 14-16cm in size with a brownish appearance. The male has a grey crown and a black throat and breast. The back and feathers are red-brown with black markings and the underbelly and cheeks are white. The tail is fairly long, thin and grey. The female is much paler and the grey crown and black throat is simply a dull cream colour. Female bills are pale, while the male's changes from brown to black in the breeding season. Young birds are paler and scruffier in appearance.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

A monotonus 'chirrup' or 'chissik' harsh chattering.

Similar Species

This species is very similar to the Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) in Victoria, however the grey crown and black throat and breast are unique to House Sparrows.

Distribution

This species is currently confined to the eastern states of the states of Australia. Any species found in cities in WA have been destroyed to prevent the species from expanding in that region.

Country of Origin

The House Sparrow was introduced to Australia from Britain in the 1860s, first to Melbourne, then Sydney, Brisbane and Hobart.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

Population numbers are high in the area, however numbers have slightly decreased in the last 20 years (COG), indicating the population is not a threat or pest species.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Introduced, widespread and abundant, with a moderate pest status.

LSCCES Population

Highest numbers were recorded in Turner, followed by Civic West and the NMA, with one found at ANU.

Associated vegetation community

The bird has become abundant in city areas, preferring the urban environment to the suburbs or bushland settings.

Limiting Resources

House Sparrows require buildings for nest holes and shelter. They all less limited by diet than many species, as they will eat almost anything.

Breeding

A breeding pair builds a large untidy ball of grass and feathers under rooves or in building crevices, under bridges or in tree hollows. The female will lay 3-6 eggs and incubate them for two weeks. Both parents will care for the young in the nest for another two weeks. In Canberra, most breeding activity takes place from October to January.

Behaviour

House Sparrows are noisy birds that spend their time in flocks up trees or on the ground. They hop around with drooping wings and flickering tails, pecking at seeds, insects and scraps. They roost communally under building eaves. Part or the breeding cycle includes a group display, where up to a dozen males chase a single female for over a minute, nicknamed a 'sparrow party'.

Functional Group

Omnivore

Food Species

This species will eat a wide array of foods including spiders and insects, seeds, flower buds, berries and human food scraps.

Predators

Due to the human environment being the preferred habitat for this species, it is most at risk from domestic pets such as Cats (Felis catus) and Dogs (Canis familiaris). Native have been known to destroy the nests of the House Sparrow, pulling out young birds.

Interesting Fact

The House Sparrow was originally bought to Australia to remind people of their European homeland. It quickly became a pest, with population numbers expanding rapidly. The government paid rewards for destroying the birds and their eggs, but no efforts were successful.