In Australia the House Sparrow quickly became established in the east, and a major pest (although similar urban declines to elsewhere are now being noted). In North America, bluebirds and Purple Martins are two species impacted. However, it can be particularly aggressive over nest sites and food supplies, and represents a threat to many native species. Primarily because of introductions by man, the House Sparrow occurs throughout most of the world, and its opportunistic nature has meant it has flourished. In the autumn grain fields attract flocks of sparrows to feed together, before they disperse and return to breeding colonies. House Sparrow flocksĪfter breeding young House Sparrows will often form large flocks where there is a good supply of food, such as gardens and wasteland. More recently, a BTO survey illustrated the importance of suburban gardens for House Sparrows.Īlthough they have disappeared from many city centres, thankfully House Sparrows are still a common sight in most suburbs and villages, but more research and monitoring is needed to hopefully reverse the trend. Denis Summers-Smith, summarised the decline as long ago as 2003 in ‘ The decline of the House Sparrow: a review‘ in British Birds magazine. The leading authority on sparrows, ornithologist J. In more urban areas the causes are less clear: a whole host of reasons have been suggested, including a lack of invertebrates to feed chicks, loss of nesting sites in modern buildings, predation by cats, increased pollution from cars, noise levels, higher instances of avian malaria exacerbated by climate change, and electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones. In the countryside, intensive and more efficient farming, and reduced winter stubble, are thought to be major causes. There has been a drastic decline in the UK House Sparrow population over the past 30 years or so, in both urban and rural areas. Gardens are a vital habitat for the declining House Sparrow, and the good news is that by caring for them we are making a positive difference to their overall populations! More facts about House Sparrows Where have all the sparrows gone? Otherwise, place several nest boxes together, or a purpose-made sparrow colony box.Ī wild area of the garden that attracts insects, including some butterfly-friendly plants that will encourage them to lay eggs and hence produce caterpillars, will give sparrows (and other birds) an excellent food source for their chicks. There should be cover nearby, ideally being hedgerows and large shrubs that may also offer nesting places. Lives in city centers, suburbs, farms also around isolated houses or businesses surrounded by terrain unsuited to House Sparrows, such as desert or forest.House Sparrow at seed feeder © ElephantPants General surroundings vary, but in North America essentially always found around manmade structures, never in unaltered natural habitats. Eastern population peaked around 1900, has been gradually declining in recent years.Ĭities, towns, farms. Probably has affected some native birds by competing for nest sites and food.
Tough, adaptable, aggressive, it survives on city sidewalks where few birds can make a living in rural areas, it may evict native birds from their nests. Native to Eurasia and northern Africa, it has succeeded in urban and farming areas all over the world - including North America, where it was first released at New York in 1851. One of the most widespread and abundant songbirds in the world today, the House Sparrow has a simple success formula: it associates with humans.
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