Old World sparrows (Passeridae)
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
- Length
- 14 cm
- Weight
- 30 g
- Clutch
- 4–5 eggs
- Incubation
- 11–14 days
- Fledging
- 14–16 days
- Broods
- 2–4 per year
- Nest box
- 32 mm hole; multi-chamber 'terrace' boxes suit colonies
Identification
- Male grey crown, chestnut nape and black bib
- Female plain buff-brown
- Chirps in noisy colonies
Constant 'chirrup'.
Diet and garden feeding
Seeds and scraps; insects for chicks.
- Best foods: Seed mix, Sunflower hearts, Suet.
- UK numbers fell by over 60% since the 1970s — a sparrow terrace box under the eaves helps colonies.
Nesting
Untidy nest under eaves, in ivy or a colony box.
House Sparrows by country
England
Resident all year · nests April–August
Scotland
Resident all year · nests May–August
Wales
Resident all year · nests April–August
Northern Ireland
Resident all year · nests April–August
Ireland
Resident all year · nests April–August
Netherlands
Resident all year · nests April–August
Belgium
Resident all year · nests April–August
Germany
Resident all year · nests April–August
France
Resident all year · nests April–August
Denmark
Resident all year · nests April–August
Sweden
Resident all year · nests May–August
Norway
Resident all year · nests May–August
Finland
Resident all year · nests May–August
Spain
Resident all year · nests March–August
Portugal
Resident all year · nests March–August
Italy
Resident all year · nests March–August
Austria
Resident all year · nests April–August
Switzerland
Resident all year · nests April–August
Poland
Resident all year · nests April–August
Sources
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.