1

The Lowly or Awesome House Sparrow?

By Nancy Howell
As I am writing this I am listening to the sounds of many House Sparrows (
Passer
domesticus
) congregated in the shrubs in front of the house. Sometimes I respect them
and sometimes I want to get rid of every single one. Then I think how adaptable this
species is to the changes they confront. If some great catastrophe occurs on this planet,
some say that rats and cockroaches would still be here I might include the House
Sparrow too.
Whether in an urban, suburban or rural area, House Sparrows are not too difficult to
find. As mentioned earlier, they are adaptable, they are social plus they have one
more thing going for them, they thrive in the presence of humans. Originally brought
to the United States from Europe in 1850, the House or English Sparrow quickly
spread throughout North America. Looking for information about this sparrow in
your field guide? Dont look in the section in which our native sparrows are described
as the House Sparrow is an Old World (Europe, Asia and Africa) species listed at the
end of a field guide or checklist.
So what makes the House Sparrow so intriguing? For one, they are generalists in food
habits eating a wide variety of items, including popcorn, bread and baked goods,
French fries and other fast food items dropped by humans. Stop by a coffee shop and
have your scone or muffin on the patio, but better watch out for the little beggars.
House Sparrows will snatch pieces of bakery right off a plate if the coffee drinker is
not
Copyright Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society
Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works.
Western Cuyahoga Audubon, 4310 Bush Ave, Cleveland, OH 44109
Email:
info@wcaudubon.org
Web:
http://www.wcaudubon.org

attentive. Have a bird feeder in your neighborhood? The House Sparrow will feed on
almost all seeds and nuts from feeders (sunflower seed, millet, cracked corn, thistle,
peanuts and more). In rural, farmland areas the House Sparrow feeds on grains and
livestock feed in feedlots and can be found in farm fields gleaning corn and small seeds
after the harvest. But wait, theres more. House Sparrows and their young need
protein too and insects and other invertebrates providing that. House Sparrows have
been observed feasting upon insects that are on the grilles of parked vehicles. One of
my favorite sightings is during the summer when Japanese Beetles are abundant.
House Sparrows will pursue the beetles in flight (the beetles are not fast) and then,
with a satisfying crunch, the birds chomp down on them, not unlike humans enjoying
a crisp chip.
Why should I look at a little, brown bird? True, at a quick glance it is mostly brown,
but look closely. In in breeding plumage (spring and summer) the male sports colors of
gray, rust, black and white around his head, back and breast. The female is rather
mousy brown. Interestingly, if you look at a male House Sparrow in the fall and early
winter you will barely see the black bib under his throat and chest, or the brighter rust
and white. As winter and spring progress the colors becomes more prevalent. What
gives? The feathers themselves! Throughout the winter the grayish feathers tips wear
away exposing the handsome dark bib and brighter colors. So the dapper male and
pretty female look good in their spring finery.
Throughout the spring and summer males attempt to attract females, not with
flamboyant colors or a gorgeous song but with their fresh plumage, incessant chirping
and displays consisting of hopping around, breast thrust forward, wings drooping, and
tail cocked up who could resist? Females mostly seem bored with the whole display,
but perhaps they are scrutinizing the males fitness and health, just waiting for the
right moves.
Once paired, it is on to nest building, if what is constructed can be called a nest.
Tending to be a messy affair, nests may be built in tree cavities, nest boxes, nooks and
crannies of buildings or among branches of thick shrubs and evergreens. Both male
and female construct the nests of grasses, feathers, city and suburban debris, such as
ribbon, string, cellophane wrap and even cigarette filters. On the next outing to a
shopping center no doubt you will locate a House Sparrow nest. Look at the big
electric letters or numbers on the outside of the building as nests are often constructed
Copyright Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society
Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works.
Western Cuyahoga Audubon, 4310 Bush Ave, Cleveland, OH 44109
Email:
info@wcaudubon.org
Web:
http://www.wcaudubon.org

in the openings of certain letters of the alphabet (o, p, q, b) and some

numbers as well (6, 8 or 9). What looks like a messy bunch of grass stuffed in one or
more of the openings yes, you located the nest. Since the signs are electric,
sometimes the dry materials of the sparrows nests catch fire. Not good.
There is so much more that can be discovered while watching this common species. So
call the House Sparrow what you will, a street urchin or a bird that has earned street
cred, take the time to observe you may see something fascinating right in your own
backyard.

Copyright Western Cuyahoga Audubon Society

Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works.
Western Cuyahoga Audubon, 4310 Bush Ave, Cleveland, OH 44109
Email:
info@wcaudubon.org
Web:
http://www.wcaudubon.org