Old World sparrows (Passeridae)
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus. Grain, seeds and food scraps.
Old World sparrows (Passeridae)House SparrowPasser domesticus
- Scientific name
- Passer domesticus
- Length
- 5.9–6.7 in
- Weight
- 0.9–1.1 oz
- Nest
- Messy grass nest in any cavity, including nest boxes
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 4–6 eggs
- Incubation
- 10–14 days
- Broods
- 2–4 per season
Identification
- Male grey crown, chestnut nape and black bib
- Female plain buff-brown
- Stocky with a thick bill
Voice
Monotonous 'cheep, cheep'.
Diet and feeding
Grain, seeds and food scraps.
What do house sparrows eat? · Best feeder for house sparrows
House Sparrows by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Alberta | Year-round resident | May–August |
| Arizona | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | April–August |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | May–August |
| California | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Florida | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Maine | Year-round resident | May–August |
| Manitoba | Year-round resident | May–August |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | May–August |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Montana | Year-round resident | May–August |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | April–August |
| New Brunswick | Year-round resident | May–August |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | May–August |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | April–August |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | April–August |
| New York | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Year-round resident | May–August |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | April–August |
| North Dakota | Year-round resident | May–August |
| Nova Scotia | Year-round resident | May–August |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | May–August |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Prince Edward Island | Year-round resident | May–August |
| Quebec | Year-round resident | May–August |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Saskatchewan | Year-round resident | May–August |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | March–August |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Texas | Year-round resident | March–August |
| Utah | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | May–August |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Washington | Year-round resident | April–August |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | April–August |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | May–August |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | May–August |
Frequently asked
What do house sparrows eat?
Grain, seeds and food scraps. At feeders: millet, cracked corn.
How big is a House Sparrow?
5.9–6.7 in long and 0.9–1.1 oz.
Do house sparrows use birdhouses?
No. Messy grass nest in any cavity, including nest boxes.
Sources
- House Sparrow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- House Sparrow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- House Sparrow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.