House Sparrows in France
When the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is present in France, when it nests, and which native France plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in France
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–August
- Size
- 14 cm, 30 g
- Nest box
- 32 mm hole; multi-chamber 'terrace' boxes suit colonies
When to expect house sparrows in France
The House Sparrow lives in France all year round. Mild in the west and south; hard frosts in the north-east and mountains.
Oceanic in the west, continental in the east, Mediterranean along the south coast and Alpine in the mountains.
Nesting in France
In France the House Sparrow usually nests April–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 France plants for house sparrows
Of the native plants we track for France, these 8 provide food the House Sparrow uses:
Haws feed thrushes all winter; spring blossom supports hundreds of insect species.
Late-winter berries when little else is left, plus dense nesting cover.
Late-summer berries taken by Blackcaps and thrushes.
Thorny cover that protects nests; early blossom for insects.
Berries and nest sites in its tangles; moths for insect-eaters.
Blackberries and impenetrable nesting cover.
Goldfinches extract the seeds from standing heads in autumn and winter.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
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 France all year?
Yes — the House Sparrow is resident in France all year.
When do house sparrows nest in France?
Typically April–August. Clutches are 4–5 eggs, incubated for 11–14 days, with 2–4 per year.
Which native plants help house sparrows in France?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Teasel, Common knapweed are native to France 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 France
Sources
- House Sparrow — RSPB bird guide
- House Sparrow — BTO BirdFacts
- Atlas des oiseaux de France métropolitaine — LPO
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.