male	male female European distribution male perched

Identification

Male House Sparrows are easily recognised by their grey crowns and variably-sized black bibs but females might be more difficult. However, nearly all the other dull brown birds with thick, conical bills have streaked rather than plain underparts. Even the otherwise similar Spanish Sparrow is faintly streaked below. Pale Rock Sparrows and Yellow-throated Sparrows are unstreaked below but they also have plain upperparts, quite unlike a House Sparrow. The only remaining problem species is the Dead Sea Sparrow which looks very similar but is smaller and neater.

Habitat

Breeds and winters in towns and cities, and also on farmland.

Behaviour

Before copulation can take place, the male has to perform a 'dance' in which he repeatedly encircles the female, crouching forward with his feathers fluffed up and chirping constantly. Then the female bows forward to allow mating to take place and this is followed by more of the same display until the pair mate again. This can be continued for many minutes during which time the pair will copulate repeatedly.

Migration

Mainly sedentary although some juveniles in colder climes will migrate south and south-west.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, House Sparrow is classed as Common: common species, including species that are certain or probable escapees from captivity when occurring in the British Isles. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Youghal, Cork 30/08/2010	Poole Hbr, Dorset 31/08/2010	Lady Bay, Dumf & Gall 31/08/2010	Midsomer Norton, Somerset 30/08/2010	Eastbourne, E Sussex 06/08/2010
Gillingham, Dorset 27/08/2010	Youghal, Cork 27/08/2010	Gillingham, Dorset 27/08/2010	Spondon, Derbys 26/08/2010	Maldon, Essex 17/06/2010

 View all pictures of House Sparrow

House Sparrow breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Azores
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Britain
Bulgaria
Canary Islands
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lichtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Moldova
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Serbia and Montenegro
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine

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