House Sparrow Passer domesticus

House Sparrow Passer domesticus

This common little bird is easy to recognize and is often one of the first songbirds learned by beginning birders. Introduced to North America in the middle of the 19th century, the House Sparrow is now found almost throughout the continent; it thrives in association with people, and is particularly abundant in cities and farm areas. Like many introduced species, it competes vigorously with native birds for nesting sites.

Identification Male streaked above with brown and black, with white wing bar; throat and upper breast black; nape chestnut and crown gray, with chestnut line through eye. Female streaked brown and black above, dingy gray below, with dull stripe behind eye.

Voice A repeated chirp, cheep, and various twitters.

Habitat Farmland, cities, towns, and suburban areas.

Range Throughout most of S. Canada and entire United States in cities, towns, suburbs, and agricultural areas.