House sparrow

House sparrow perching on twig

The house sparrow is one of our most familiar birds and is affectionately recognised as being a cheeky and loveable rogue with a promiscuous nature.

Its long list of vernacular names are derived from the Middle English word sparewe, with names such as 'spadger', 'spuggy' and 'sprog' being frequently used. Around man, it is very confiding, but in the countryside, it can be as wary as any other bird.

The house sparrow is widely distributed throughout Britain, but the population has declined by over 65% in recent years.

Gone are the days when house sparrows were so common that bounties and trophies were offered in just about every Parish for the most birds culled, or when hordes of birds gathered around people to be fed. The south and east of England have been most affected by the decline.

For farmland house sparrows, the decline has been identified as a lack of winter food. The cause in urban and suburban populations is, as yet, unknown but early evidence from research has pointed to a lack of native plants and associated insect food causing a reduction in chick survival.

What do house sparrows need?

  • House sparrows need thick vegetation in which to shelter and nest. They also use holes in buildings, or other man-made structures.
  • Adults feed on foods from a range of wild and cultivated garden plants throughout the year. They primarily eat seeds and to a lesser extent shoots, buds and berries. Most seed is gathered from the ground or on low growing plants. They will also perch on and feed from the seed heads of taller plants, shrubs and trees.
  • Adults require insects to improve and sustain their condition throughout the breeding season. Insects are also a very important source of protein for chicks during the early nestling stages.
  • The house sparrow is highly adaptable and through its association with man, it has learned to supplement its diet with a wide range of household scraps, food put out for domestic animals and wild bird seed mixes.

Register for Homes for Wildlife today and receive advice on how to help house sparrows, and other wildlife, in your garden by clicking on the link to the left.

Last modified: 23 October 2007