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Have you seen a small, brown bird in your garden and you’re not sure what it is? There are lots of potential contenders, so take a look at these ID tips to help you to work out the identity of your mystery bird.
Despite their Big Garden Birdwatch success, numbers of House Sparrows have dropped by 60% in the past 45 years. In 2002, House Sparrows were added to the Red List of Conservation Concern.
House Sparrows are much rarer than they used to be – since 1970, almost 30 million of these little birds have vanished from the UK.
House Sparrows have lived alongside humans for centuries, taking advantage of spilt grain and food scraps. You might also spot them hopping about on city streets, in stations and parks, as well as out in the countryside in hedgerows and on agricultural fields.
They’re the most common bird seen during the Big Garden Birdwatch and if you put up feeders you’re almost certain to see them (they particularly love fat balls and sunflower hearts).
House Sparrows are sociable birds and often live in small groups, close to people. In fact, they’ve lived alongside humans for centuries, taking advantage of spilt grain and food scraps.
You’ll often see them hopping around on the ground in groups, or bathing together in a birdbath or pond. They will also happily use bird feeders.
House Sparrows have quite short wings and aren’t strong fliers, so they like to stick close to vegetation, ready to dash for cover if a predator appears.
The commonest call is a basic, but often very loud, ‘cheep cheep’. Their song is just this cheep repeated over and over again.
In spring, you might hear groups of House Sparrows calling at once from deep within hedges and bushes, making a cheery, chirpy chorus. They also sometimes make a scolding chur, which can be an alarm call.
All year round – but you’re most likely to hear them singing in spring.
House Sparrows have adapted well to living alongside humans and are regular visitors to gardens, along with being a regular sight in towns and cities. They’ve taken the number one spot on Big Garden Birdwatch for 21 years, but their populations are still facing severe declines.
House Sparrows can be heard cheep-cheeping all year round, although their song builds in strength during the spring and summer, when they gather in bigger groups. In autumn and winter, we're left with fragments of their chirpy chatter.
House Sparrows like to nest in holes or crevices in buildings, but will also nest in hedges or use nestboxes.
They’ve lived alongside humans for thousands of years, and they’ve also taken the top spot of the Big Garden Birdwatch for more than 20 years. But House Sparrows are a lot rarer than they used to be.
Since 1970, almost 30 million House Sparrows have vanished from the UK, which means they’re now on the UK Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern.
Now is the time to stand with our birds. Now is the time to act for nature. Together, we can turn their fortunes around.
Male House Sparrows have grey and chesnut-brown plumage. They have a grey cap, brown cheeks and a distinctive black bib. Females are brown all over with a pale stripe behind the eye. Look for a small, chunky bird with a short, stout bill. They like to be in colonies and can be vocal within bushes and shrubs.
House Sparrows eat seeds, grains, insects and food scraps. In gardens, they commonly feed on bird seed, especially millet and sunflower seeds.
House Sparrows usually nest in cavities around buildings, including roof spaces, eaves, wall gaps and nest boxes. They may also nest in dense vegetation.
House Sparrows can breed from spring through to late summer, often producing up to three broods when conditions are favourable.
House Sparrows average lifespan is three years in the wild. Although some individuals can survive for considerably longer, the longest record lifespan is 12 years.
House Sparrows are mainly resident birds in the UK and generally do not migrate. They may make short local movements in search of food and suitable habitat.
No, House Sparrows remain common and widespread in the UK. However, their numbers have declined significantly in some areas, particularly in urban environments.
House Sparrows are resident in the UK throughout the year, so they do not have a specific arrival period.
House Sparrows generally stay in the UK throughout the year and do not migrate. Some may make short-distance movements between nearby areas.