Sparrow Information, Biology and Identification

Why Control Pest Sparrows?

The House sparrow (Passer Domesticus) is the number two urban pest bird. Introduced as a species to North America, the house sparrow quickly spread across the country due to its lack of natural enemies and its adaptive traits. Its ability to nest in urban structures, eat urban scraps and a large breeding capacity are some of these adaptive traits.

The House Sparrow is actually a member of the weaverbird family and not a true Sparrow. Their legs and toes are favored for branch perching and their short conical bills are ideal for seed cracking. They are boisterous, intelligent birds who roost in noisy flocks on branches of city trees, ivy covered walls and under eaves of houses.

Height/Weight
5"-6"
1oz
Life span
1-2yrs. Wild to 10 yrs. captive
Flight speed
5-39 mph
Range
All states rural-urban
Food
Seeds, Grains, Insects & Fruit
Habitat
Trees & Structures

Nesting
They build large nests relative to size which function as the center of all activity. They prefer small enclosed places such as house shutters, drainage piping, building rafters and corrugated metal siding. They will build a spherical nest in a tree or another exposed place if they have no other option. The building material will be sticks, with an inside lining of grass, string, fabrics or straw. The nest will often hold several families.

Breeding
House sparrows only mate for a season. They average three broods per mating season with each brood containing four to seven eggs with 20 offspring a year average. Egg coloration will be white, pale blue or pale green with a few gray or brown dots. If unchecked, a breeding pair can grow to over 2,000 birds in two to three years. Both male and female take care of the young, even though the female does most of the brooding. The eggs will hatch 10 to 14 days after incubation. The young leave the nest after 15 days, however the adults will continue to feed the young for two weeks after leaving the nest. House sparrows are aggressive and social. Sparrows are not a migratory bird. Studies have shown that non-breeding adult and juveniles will only move in a 5 mile radius of its original nest; in search of new territories and feeding areas

Cycles
House Sparrows are not migratory, but in cold climates can show movement between rural/suburban breeding sites and warmer winter roosting sites in the city. House Sparrows are aggressive birds and will often force out other birds from their territories. They are flocking birds and will gather in the thousands to take over feeding and roosting areas.

Damage

House Sparrows are often a nuisance in urban areas like manufacturing and food processing plants. Gutters and drainage pipes clogged with sparrow nests can backup and cause extensive water damage and fires have been attributed to electrical shorts caused by machinery housing sparrow nests. Lastly, feces buildup can lead to structural damage from the uric acid in droppings, plus the bacteria, fungal agents and parasites in the feces also pose a health risk.

Sparrows also are known to kill native song birds by killing the babies or breaking the eggs in the nest, they may be cute but not to native species.

Legal Status

House sparrows are not protected by federal law because they are an introduced species to America. Some areas in the United States do offer them protection, and require a permit for the removal or eradication of house sparrows but not in Arizona or Nevada.

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