Page 376 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

SPARROWS
Family Passeridae
SPARROWS

ELATED MORE CLOSELY to the African House Sparrows used to gather in hundreds to
Rweavers than to the similar finches, feed on grain and weed seeds in winter stubbles,
sparrows are adaptable and widespread birds, the but have declined in most places in recent years.
House Sparrow being closely associated with Breeding birds may be in loose colonies, using a
people wherever they are. variety of sites including the base of White Stork
Male and female plumages are markedly nests, thickets, and dense creepers on walls, but
different in House and Spanish Sparrows, but House Sparrows mostly occupy holes or cavities
identical in the Tree Sparrow (both looking more of some sort in roofs and under eaves.Renovation
like a House Sparrow male). Rock Sparrows, in of wooden eaves with plastic cladding has often
another genus altogether, are quite different, but been blamed for local declines. Even inside a
have no obvious variations in their plumage. small cavity, the nest is a mass of grass and other
All sparrows are social. Spanish Sparrows are stems,feathers,and scraps,with an overall rounded
especially gregarious where they are common. effect that recalls the weavers, but lacking the
neatness and precision of construction
that characterizes their nests. Both House
and Tree Sparrows are suffering a
widespread decline in western Europe.

FEATHER LINING
A House Sparrow is about to add
a feather to its nest under an
old tile in a roof.

FEEDING FLOCK
Sparrows burst from a stubble field with a loud roar of wings. They feed in tight-
packed flocks, often mixed with Greenfinches and Linnets, which also pack closely
together in many situations, while other finches and buntings form loose groups.

VIGOROUS BATHING
Sparrows bathe regularly, in
water as well as in dust, helping
to keep their plumage in good
condition and free of parasites.

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