House Sparrow
Passer domesticus

RSPB Conservation Status – RED

Last seen – 24-4-23

The House Sparrow, also known as the English Sparrow, is a common bird species found throughout the UK.

The bird has a brown-grey back, grey-brown breast, and distinctive black bib on its throat.

The House Sparrow is one of the most common bird species in the UK, with an estimated population of around 5 million breeding pairs.

However, the bird’s population has declined significantly in some urban areas, with a decline of around 70% in London between 1994 and 2004.

 

Facts

Population – Between 5m and 6m breeding pairs

Length – 14 – 15 cm

Wingspan – 21 – 26 cm

Weight – 24 – 40 g

Breeding

House Sparrows breed between April and August, with females laying a clutch of 3-5 eggs in a nest made of twigs, grass, and feathers.

The eggs are incubated for around 11-14 days, and the chicks fledge after around 14-16 days.

Habitat

House Sparrows are found in a wide range of habitats, including gardens, parks, farmland, and urban areas.

They are particularly common in areas with a mix of grassland, shrubs, and trees, which provide them with shelter and nesting sites.

 

Food

The House Sparrow is primarily a seed-eating bird, feeding on a variety of plant materials such as cereal crops, grasses, and weeds.

They may also eat insects and other small invertebrates, particularly during the breeding season.

If you have seen a House Sparrow, please let us know via our survey page.