The house sparrow is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world. It is a small bird that has a typical length of 16 cm (6.3 in) and a mass of 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). Females and young birds are coloured pale brown and grey, and males have brighter black, white, and brown markings. One of about 25 species in the genus Passer, the house sparrow is native to most of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, and a large part of Asia. Its intentional or accidental introductions to many regions, including parts of Australasia, Africa, and the Americas, make it the most widely distributed wild bird.
Region
Global (native to Europe and Asia; introduced to the Americas, Africa, and Australasia)
Typical Environment
Common in urban and rural settlements, including cities, villages, farms, parks, and gardens. It favors areas with buildings for nesting cavities and ready access to grain, seeds, and human food waste. Typically avoids dense forests, extensive deserts far from people, and high alpine zones without habitation. Nests in eaves, holes, nest boxes, and other crevices, often near humans. Can form large communal roosts in shrubs and trees within built environments.
Altitude Range
0–4500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The house sparrow is strongly associated with humans and thrives in towns, farms, and cities worldwide. Males display a black bib whose size can signal social status, and both sexes often roost communally. Despite its abundance, many urban populations in Europe have declined in recent decades, likely due to habitat changes and food availability.
An immature of the Indian subspecies (P. d. indicus) in Rajasthan, India
A pair of Italian sparrows, in Rome
A male of the subspecies P. d. balearoibericus in Istanbul
A male of the migratory subspecies P. d. bactrianus (with a Eurasian tree sparrow and young house or Spanish sparrows) in Baikonur, Kazakhstan
By a nest in a saguaro cactus in Arizona, U.S.
House sparrows perching on a roof, during winter in the Southern Alps of New Zealand
A female house sparrow feeding on rice grains
A pair of the Indian subspecies (P. d. indicus) mating in Kolkata
Female bringing food for young in a nest made in a tree hole in California
An example of a nest made in a man-made structure.
Eggs in a nest
A hatchling with yellow gape
A juvenile, showing its pink bill and obvious nestling gape—the soft, swollen base, which becomes harder and less swollen as the bird matures
A male sparrow being eaten by a domestic cat. Cats are one of the main predators of the house sparrow.
An immature house sparrow sleeping
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically found in flocks outside the breeding season and forms noisy communal roosts. Pairs are largely monogamous within a season and nest in cavities or nest boxes, often in loose colonies. They readily reuse nest sites and may have multiple broods per year.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song consists of simple, repeated chirps and cheeps, often delivered persistently by males near nest sites. Calls include sharp 'chirrup' notes and harsher scolding chatter when alarmed.
