Detailed information on House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

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pmmGarak

(Zone 7b) | April 2015 | Positive

actually, I totally adore these fellows - They're native here in Europe, and they're just everywhere. They are bold, nosy and playful - to me that's a sign of intelligence. sometimes they form groups of up to 50 individuals, sitting in a single hedge and busy chirping at each other, until suddently one seems to have an idea, darts away in a random direction, and all the others follow.

If you're good to them, they'll nearly take breadcrumbs off your hands. Really very likeable chaps.

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coriaceous

ROSLINDALE, MA | April 2015 | Negative

In N. America, this is not a native species, and it is contributing to the decline of our native songbirds.

Aggressive, noisy, and quarrelsome, I find them unpleasant to have around. Here in North America, they also outcompete almost any other cavity nesting bird species, and have been known to kill baby bluebirds to steal their nest sites.

I see them here in tremendous numbers. A gang of perhaps a hundred have taken over a friend's bird feeder and bully the other birds.

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Chillybean

(Zone 5a) | July 2014 | Negative

I've read several reasons this bird was brought to the US. One is folk thought they were good bug eaters and released them into towns to control some worm. Sadly, they only catch bugs when their nestlings are small. Another reason is some people from Europe missed the song of this bird, so brought some here. Those Europeans sure made a mess of things didn't they? But remember, how many of us are descendants of those people and make our own unwise choices. ;)

As much as we'd like to send them back, think of the logistics. The cost, the care, etc until a batch is released on the other side of the Atlantic. How many would actually survive? I believe I read many died on the way over here to begin with.

We find the only things the HOSP do not eat are safflo... read more

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Clary

Lewisburg, PA (Zone 6b) | June 2012 | Positive

I have at times had too many of these birds on my property; dozens at a time. They seem recently to be less numerous but I also now have a catbird who chases other birds from the watering stations. House sparrows are more persistent at defying the catbird and using the baths than other species have been.

This is not a native species. I wish I saw fewer of these and more native birds.

I have to laugh at the comment that describes their chirping in negative terms - it is to me a combination of a chirp and a yip that is repetitious and not melodic. It sounds a bit like an insect.

The only reason I give these birds a positive is because they are BEETLE EATING MACHINES. They swoop over the garden all day long, hovering near the flowers and plucking ... read more

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GrammyJo

Granite City, IL (Zone 6a) | June 2012 | Negative

House Sparrows are not native to the United States. They were brought here by Europeans and I sincerely wish they had LEFT them in Europe! They have severely effected the numbers of our native 'House Finches' which are adorable, sweet-natured birds with LOVELY songs and calls including having extremely endearing habits towards their mates and their offspring. If anyone has had the pleasure of observing House Finches during mating season and as attentive parents to precious babies and have compared them to the over bearing, UNRELENTINGLY chirping House Sparrows the differences are glaring!

It's the same with Starlings which were also imported from Europe. They MUST be one of the most annoying, destructive, BULLY species to ever invade the United States! Wish they were gone al... read more

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1alh1

Sidney, OH (Zone 6a) | May 2012 | Negative

Disgusting, filthy bullies. They have prevented bluebirds from building nests in our houses. They killed baby bluebirds 2 years ago, and they are aggressive toward all of the birds who come to our feeders...except the pileated woodpecker. Check out sialis.org to learn more about why house sparrows are an invasive and undesirable species.

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Nefitara

Port Richey, FL (Zone 9a) | May 2012 | Positive

I never have a problem with them and I see a lot of them around my house. I think they're cute and I don't mind them eating the food I have...it's why I feed the birds. I don't discriminate!

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pansy51

Kenosha, WI | April 2012 | Negative

Although these birds are tough survivors, they seem to have few redeeming qualities. I've never heard them sing, and personally witnessed a "gang" killing a bluebird and taking over the bluebird house before I could come to the rescue.

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frogymon

Lisle, IL (Zone 5a) | March 2012 | Neutral

Along with House Finches, these are the most common birds at my feeders.

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hydey6

Corunna, IN | August 2011 | Negative

This bird is a pain! I took away the black sun flower seed because they eat it up within a hour after putting it out and now they have their young eating all the finch food!! Some say they don't eat sunflower, but they sure do here. They are dirty, never clean their nests out when raising their young. I know what I'd like to do with them.

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Bluebird29

Montpelier, ID | November 2010 | Negative

These pests took over my feeder. They bullied other native species away. I switched to black oil sunflower seed, and I only see a few of them now. They are still one of the only birds I see in our town, though. If only we could send all of them back to Europe, where they are native and don't cause trouble.

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Juttah

Tucson, AZ (Zone 8a) | May 2010 | Positive

I can't help but admire these street-smart birds -- they are so adaptable, and surprisingly intelligent. I've watched them trigger the automatic doors at Home Depot by deliberately flying in front of them and then waiting for the doors to open. I've seen them zig-zagging after insects like flycatchers, and following Robins and then snatching their food away. Right now the ones in my yard think they're chickadees, hanging from Mesquite catkins while they pick out insects and pollen. Male House Sparrows are good daddies, sharing in the duties of raising young, unlike some more well-loved species, for example hummingbirds.

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dottyjojo

Tipton, MO | September 2009 | Negative

These birds are an invasive pest here, I've found them to nest over blue bird eggs and even live babies. They try to take over the purple martin houses where they agressively fight the male martins.

One of my biggest complaints is they are so dirty. They don't clean their nests as they brood their babies and the nests become infested with mites, ants and other things.

Definitely a pest but they persist. The best prevention for me is to clean out their nest and destroy the nesting material or they will rebuild immediately. Seems as if they can build a new nest, lay eggs and hatch the eggs before I'm through cleaning up after them.

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Malus2006

Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) | April 2009 | Neutral

Hmm I would say they are in decline even in the US- I don't see too many as in the past - the reason why some people see them often is because they use the very badly named "wildbird seed mix" which most native birds in the Eastern US snub or have to flick large amount of seed out of the birdfeeder to get at the few good seeds - House Sparrow eat what the native birds snub, namely Millet. My grandma once have large amount of house sparrow eating at her cheap wildbird seed mix then largely disappeared when we changed to cracked sunflower seed only.
They have interesting nesting habit - parking garages in downtown Minneapolis out of the rain and wind- I have seen them nest in a traffic light post - there's a hole about 2 inches wide (cap fall off or just the way it is?) and I have see... read more

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WaterCan2

Eastern Long Island, NY (Zone 7a) | January 2009 | Positive

They're everywhere here, someone up there must like them, or else 'HE' wouldn't have made so many of them. ☺

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nanny_56

Putnam County, IN (Zone 5b) | January 2009 | Negative

This bird is a threat to native cavity nesters and is very invasive.

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Resin

(Zone 9a) | December 2008 | Positive

In Europe, where it is native, it is in serious decline, even being red-listed as an Endangered Species in many European countries.

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

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