Facts, Identification and Control

Latin Name

Passer domesticus

Appearance

Sparrows may be the world’s most common birds. The small, brown-black creatures have pale undersides. Tails are noticeably shorter than wings, and bills and legs are stubby.

Behavior, Diet & Habits

The birds forage aggressively for food on the ground, hopping whenever they do not fly. Flight is direct, with continued wing-flapping and no gliding. They often threaten or attack other birds, and they inhabit a relatively small area in modest-sized flocks.

Sparrows are eager eaters. They favor a variety of seeds, supplemented occasionally by insects and bird feeders.

Reproduction

Sparrows have offspring between February and May. They build their nests in building crevices and on and around nearby trees. Up to eight eggs are found in the nest, and incubation lasts as long as two weeks. Males and females feed the young through regurgitation.

Signs of a House Sparrow Infestation

The main signs of house sparrows are the birds, their chirping, nests and droppings.

More Information

Sparrows prefer areas that have been inhabited by humans. They are much more common in an industrial park or a city lawn than in a forest.