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House Sparrow Identification Guide

The House Sparrow is a small, very common bird closely associated with human settlements. It is recognised by its compact body, conical bill and social behaviour. Here you will learn how to identify the House Sparrow, understand its calls, social life, diet, breeding habits and the environments where it is most often found.
What I look like

What I look like

The House Sparrow has a **grey cap and cheeks**, a **brown nape**, and a **black bib**.

The House Sparrow has a grey cap and cheeks, a brown nape, and a black bib.

It has a **short, conical, and robust** beak.

It has a short, conical, and robust beak.

The upper side of its body is **brown and striped**.

The upper side of its body is brown and striped.

The underside is **light grey**.

The underside is light grey.

The female is **grey-brown** with a **light eyebrow**, without a brown nape or black bib.

The female is grey-brown with a light eyebrow, without a brown nape or black bib.

Want to learn to recognize birds quickly by their shapes and morphology? The Ornitho Mnemolia course guides you step by step. Start the course
My songs, my calls

My songs, my calls

The House Sparrow does not sing; it emits a **chirping** (like the high-pitched calls of chicks). **"tchilp tchilp tchilp"**

The House Sparrow does not sing; it emits a chirping (like the high-pitched calls of chicks). "tchilp tchilp tchilp"

It can emit **louder calls** when agitated or in flight **"tetetetet" "tchip"**.

It can emit louder calls when agitated or in flight "tetetetet" "tchip".

Identifying a bird by its song is easier than you think. The Ornitho Mnemolia course trains you with progressive audio quizzes. Start the course
How I behave

How I behave

The House Sparrow is **very sociable** and lives in **noisy groups**.

The House Sparrow is very sociable and lives in noisy groups.

It takes advantage of available food and **often invades the feeder**.

It takes advantage of available food and often invades the feeder.

The House Sparrow loves **sand baths**. In the garden, you can set up a basin of fine sand.

The House Sparrow loves sand baths. In the garden, you can set up a basin of fine sand.

It **approaches humans very easily**.

It approaches humans very easily.

Reading a bird's behavior changes everything in the field. The course shows you the key attitudes to recognize. Start the course
How I reproduce

How I reproduce

The breeding season of the House Sparrow extends from March to September.

It produces **2 to 3 broods per year** of 2 to 3 white to greenish eggs, speckled with brown.

It produces 2 to 3 broods per year of 2 to 3 white to greenish eggs, speckled with brown.

It nests in **cavities, nest boxes, or in the open air**.

It nests in cavities, nest boxes, or in the open air.

Its nest is a **ball or cup** of grass, straw, or hay.

Its nest is a ball or cup of grass, straw, or hay.

Understanding the species' life cycle helps you observe them better… and avoid disturbing them. The course covers everything you need to know. Start the course
What I eat

What I eat

It has a **granivorous beak** (short, conical, and robust). It mainly eats **seeds**.

It has a granivorous beak (short, conical, and robust). It mainly eats seeds.

It has an **omnivorous diet**: it eats everything (seeds, small animals, fruits, buds).

It has an omnivorous diet: it eats everything (seeds, small animals, fruits, buds).

To find birds more easily, you need to know their feeding habits. The course teaches you where to look and why. Start the course
Where to find me

Where to find me

The House Sparrow lives near **habitations**, in cities and in the countryside.

The House Sparrow lives near habitations, in cities and in the countryside.

Even though it is widespread in Europe, **its populations are declining**.

Even though it is widespread in Europe, its populations are declining.

We can **maintain the species** by installing several close nest boxes to form a small colony.

We can maintain the species by installing several close nest boxes to form a small colony.

It is a **sedentary** species.

It is a sedentary species.

Finding a species also means understanding its habitat. The Ornitho Mnemolia course helps you locate each bird in the right place. Start the course