House Sparrows in Scotland
When the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is present in Scotland, when it nests, and which native Scotland plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Scotland
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- May–August
- Size
- 14 cm, 30 g
- Nest box
- 32 mm hole; multi-chamber 'terrace' boxes suit colonies
- Delivery
- Perch Supply ships to the UK
When to expect house sparrows in Scotland
The House Sparrow lives in Scotland all year round. Short days and regular snow inland; Scandinavian Bramblings, Fieldfares and Waxwings often arrive in numbers.
Cool maritime in the west, more continental and drier in the east; the Highlands are markedly colder.
Nesting in Scotland
In Scotland 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 Scotland plants for house sparrows
Of the native plants we track for Scotland, 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 Scotland all year?
Yes — the House Sparrow is resident in Scotland all year.
When do house sparrows nest in Scotland?
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 Scotland?
Hawthorn, Ivy, Elder, Blackthorn, Honeysuckle, Bramble, Teasel, Common knapweed are native to Scotland 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 Scotland
Sources
- House Sparrow — RSPB bird guide
- House Sparrow — BTO BirdFacts
- Bird Atlas 2007–11 — British Trust for Ornithology
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.