House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

A feisty little bird that's made itself at home in cities worldwide, chirping from rooftops and hopping about in parks and gardens.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

House Sparrows are small, plump birds with rounded heads and stout beaks. Males have a grey crown, chestnut-brown nape, and black bib that expands during breeding season. Their wings display distinct brown and black streaks.

Females are duller, with a mix of brown and grey feathers and a pale stripe behind the eye. Juveniles resemble females but have less defined markings and a yellowish gape.

Size

Length

14cm to 18cm

Wingspan

19cm to 25cm

Weight

24g to 39g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

Black White

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Brown

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour (Female)

Buff

Beak Colour (Female)

Grey

Leg Colour (Female)

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The House Sparrow is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The House Sparrow can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The House Sparrow is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The House Sparrow is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The House Sparrow can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The House Sparrow can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The House Sparrow is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The House Sparrow is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The House Sparrow is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The House Sparrow is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The House Sparrow is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The House Sparrow is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

House Sparrows are found on every continent except Antarctica, thriving in human-modified environments. They inhabit urban areas, farmlands, and suburban gardens, often nesting in buildings and other structures.

They are widespread across the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. While generally non-migratory, some northern populations may move short distances during harsh winters.

Elevation Range

Up to 4,500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a House Sparrow. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons