About the House Sparrow
Often viewed as a mere small brown bird, a closer view reveals a handsome and colourful bird, with a swashbuckling, cheeky-chap character.
The male has a grey crown and nape, edges with chocolate-brown on the sides of the head, black bib and dirty white cheeks. The upper parts are a mixture of browns, buffs and greys, with white wing bars. The female is much duller, with tawny under parts edged with black and subtler shades of brown and grey.
Photo gallery
Specifications
| Scientific name |
Passer domesticus
|
|---|---|
| Family |
Passeridae
|
| Habitat |
Urban, suburban and agricultural areas.
|
| Food |
Hi-Energy No Mess, Hi-Energy Ground Blend, Table Seed (cereal containing products), grain and insects.
|
| Height |
14.5cm
|
| Weight |
22-32g
|
| Lifespan |
1 - 23 years
|
| Breeding time |
March - August
|
| Nest |
Untidy, domed, grass with feather lining. In small colonies, beneath roof tile and in enclosed nest boxes (32mm hole).
|
| Sound |
Twittering and a variety of cheep's and chirrup's.
|
| Characteristics |
.
|
| Children |
3-6, greyish white, speckled brown and grey.
|