House Sparrows in Finland
When the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is present in Finland, when it nests, and which native Finland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Finland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- May–August
- Size
- 14 cm, 30 g
- Nest box
- 32 mm hole; multi-chamber 'terrace' boxes suit colonies
When to expect house sparrows in Finland
The House Sparrow lives in Finland all year round. Long, dark, snowy winters; feeding is a widespread national habit.
Boreal continental, forested and lake-strewn.
Nesting in Finland
In Finland the House Sparrow usually nests May–August. Nest site: untidy nest under eaves, in ivy or a colony box. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 11–14 days; chicks fledge after 14–16 days, and pairs raise 2–4 per year.
- Nest box: 32 mm hole; multi-chamber 'terrace' boxes suit colonies. Put boxes up by February and clean them out between September and January.
- Avoid cutting hedges during the nesting season (roughly March to August) — in the UK, disturbing an active nest is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Native Finland plants for house sparrows
Of the native plants we track for Finland, these 8 provide food the House Sparrow uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
Cones hold seed that Siskins and Goldfinches feed on all winter.
Hazelnuts for Nuthatches, Jays and Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Pine seed for Coal Tits, Crested Tits and Crossbills.
Cone seed for Siskins and Coal Tits; Goldcrest nesting habitat.
Feeding in the garden
Seeds and scraps; insects for chicks.
- Best foods: Seed mix, Sunflower hearts, Suet.
- Feeders: Seed feeder, Open table.
- UK numbers fell by over 60% since the 1970s — a sparrow terrace box under the eaves helps colonies.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are house sparrows in Finland all year?
Yes — the House Sparrow is resident in Finland all year.
When do house sparrows nest in Finland?
Typically May–August. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 11–14 days, with 2–4 per year.
Which native plants help house sparrows in Finland?
Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Bramble, Silver birch, Alder, Hazel, Scots pine, Norway spruce are native to Finland and provide food or cover the House Sparrow uses.
What nest box does the House Sparrow use?
32 mm hole; multi-chamber 'terrace' boxes suit colonies.
House Sparrows in other countries
Other garden birds in Finland
Sources
- House Sparrow — RSPB bird guide
- House Sparrow — BTO BirdFacts
- Finnish Bird Atlas — Finnish Museum of Natural History
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.