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Overview
Eurasian tree sparrow

Eurasian tree sparrow

Wikipedia

The Eurasian tree sparrow is a passerine bird in the sparrow family with a rich chestnut crown and nape and a black patch on each pure white cheek. The sexes are similarly plumaged, and young birds are a duller version of the adult. This sparrow breeds over most of temperate Eurasia and Southeast Asia, where it is known as the tree sparrow, and it has been introduced elsewhere including the United States, where it is known as the Eurasian tree sparrow or German sparrow to differentiate it from the native American tree sparrow. Although several subspecies are recognised, the appearance of this bird varies little across its extensive range.

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Distribution

Region

Temperate Eurasia and Southeast Asia

Typical Environment

Breeds widely from western Europe across Siberia to East Asia, and south into parts of Southeast Asia. It occupies farmland, hedgerows, open woodland edges, rural settlements, parks, and gardens. Avoids dense forests and treeless high mountains, but adapts well to mixed agricultural mosaics. Introduced populations occur in a few regions, including the central United States.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 3000 m

Climate Zone

Temperate

Characteristics

Size12–14 cm
Wing Span20–22 cm
Male Weight0.024 kg
Female Weight0.022 kg
Life Expectancy3 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

Easily told from the House Sparrow by its rich chestnut cap and the distinctive black spot on a clean white cheek. It nests in cavities, walls, and nest boxes, often in loose colonies near farmland and villages. Although globally common, it has declined locally in parts of Europe due to agricultural intensification and habitat changes.

Gallery

Bird photo
Bird photo
Bird photo
Description of the house and Eurasian tree sparrows from the Systema naturae[9]

Description of the house and Eurasian tree sparrows from the Systema naturae[9]

Bird photo
Bird photo
Bird photo
Bird photo
Bird photo
Urban nest under a roof tile of a wooden house in Japan

Urban nest under a roof tile of a wooden house in Japan

In flight

In flight

Museum de Toulouse

Museum de Toulouse

Fledgling

Fledgling

One adult and two juveniles

One adult and two juveniles

Nest box made of wood and concrete

Nest box made of wood and concrete

A very social bird, no problem sharing a bird feeder

A very social bird, no problem sharing a bird feeder

The Eurasian sparrowhawk is a widespread predator

The Eurasian sparrowhawk is a widespread predator

A sick and dying individual, apathetic and unresponsive to touch.

A sick and dying individual, apathetic and unresponsive to touch.

Winter stubble is a seasonal food resource.[74]

Winter stubble is a seasonal food resource.[74]

A horticultural pest, the common asparagus beetle is a regular prey item

A horticultural pest, the common asparagus beetle is a regular prey item

Bird photo
Bird photo

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Gregarious outside the breeding season, forming flocks that forage in fields and around settlements. Typically nests in cavities in trees, buildings, or nest boxes; may nest semi-colonially. Pairs are generally monogamous, and both sexes help feed the young.

Migratory Pattern

Partial migrant

Song Description

A series of sharp, dry chips and chirps, often delivered in rapid bursts from a perch. Less varied than the House Sparrow, with harsh, metallic notes and constant contact calls within flocks.

Similar Bird Species

Eurasian treecreeper
Native

Eurasian treecreeper

The Eurasian treecreeper or common treecreeper is a small passerine bird also known in the British Isles, where it is the only living member of its genus, simply as treecreeper. It is similar to other treecreepers, and has a curved bill, patterned brown upperparts, whitish underparts, and long stiff tail feathers which help it creep up tree trunks. It can be most easily distinguished from the similar short-toed treecreeper, which shares much of its European range, by its different song.

Eurasian whimbrel
Migratory

Eurasian whimbrel

The Eurasian whimbrel, also known as the white-rumped whimbrel in North America, is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae. It is one of the most widespread of the curlews, breeding across much of subarctic Palearctic region and Europe as far south as Scotland. This species and the Hudsonian whimbrel have recently been split, although some taxonomic authorities still consider them to be conspecific.

Eurasian wigeon
Migratory

Eurasian wigeon

The Eurasian wigeon or European wigeon, also known as the widgeon or the wigeon, is one of three species of wigeon in the dabbling duck genus Mareca. It is common and widespread within its Palearctic range.

Eurasian woodcock
Migratory

Eurasian woodcock

The Eurasian woodcock is a medium-small wading bird found in temperate and subarctic Eurasia. It has cryptic camouflage to suit its woodland habitat, with reddish-brown upperparts and buff-coloured underparts. Its eyes are set far back on its head to give it 360-degree vision and it probes in the ground for food with its long, sensitive bill, making it vulnerable to cold weather when the ground remains frozen.

Eurasian wren
Native

Eurasian wren

The Eurasian wren or northern wren is a very small insectivorous bird and the only member of the wren family found in the Old World, specifically in Eurasia and Africa (Maghreb). In Anglophone Europe, it is commonly known simply as the wren. It has a very short tail which is often held erect, a short neck and a relatively long thin bill. It is russet brown above, paler buff-brown below and has a cream buff supercilium. The sexes are alike.

Eurasian wryneck
Migratory

Eurasian wryneck

The Eurasian wryneck or northern wryneck is a species of wryneck in the woodpecker family. It mainly breeds in temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Most populations are migratory, wintering in tropical Africa and in southern Asia from Iran to the Indian subcontinent, but some are resident in northwestern Africa. It is a bird of open countryside, woodland and orchards.