Tree Sparrows in Germany
When the Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) is present in Germany, when it nests, and which native Germany plants supply the food it depends on.
- Status in Germany
- Resident all year
- Nesting season
- April–July
- Size
- 14 cm, 24 g
- Nest box
- 28 mm hole
When to expect tree sparrows in Germany
The Tree Sparrow lives in Germany all year round. Colder in the east and south; feeders are widely used and garden-bird counts are a national tradition.
Temperate, becoming more continental towards the east and south, with Alpine climate in Bavaria.
Nesting in Germany
In Germany the Tree Sparrow usually nests April–July. Nest site: tree hole or box. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days; chicks fledge after 15–18 days, and pairs raise 2–3 per year.
- Nest box: 28 mm hole. 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 Germany plants for tree sparrows
Of the native plants we track for Germany, these 4 provide food the Tree Sparrow uses:
Goldfinches extract the seeds from standing heads in autumn and winter.
Seed heads for Goldfinches and a nectar source for insects.
Catkin seed for Siskins and Redpolls; many caterpillars for tit broods.
Cones hold seed that Siskins and Goldfinches feed on all winter.
Feeding in the garden
Seeds; insects for chicks.
- Best foods: Seed mix, Millet.
- Feeders: Seed feeder, Open table.
- A farmland bird that responds well to boxes in loose colonies.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Are tree sparrows in Germany all year?
Yes — the Tree Sparrow is resident in Germany all year.
When do tree sparrows nest in Germany?
Typically April–July. Clutches are 5–6 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days, with 2–3 per year.
Which native plants help tree sparrows in Germany?
Teasel, Common knapweed, Silver birch, Alder are native to Germany and provide food or cover the Tree Sparrow uses.
What nest box does the Tree Sparrow use?
28 mm hole.
Tree Sparrows in other countries
Other garden birds in Germany
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.