About
People have a love-hate relationship with the house sparrow. They bring life to city centres and other man-made places and are the most familiar of wild animals for many people. However, the house sparrows partiality to grain crops and the damage and destruction this causes has in the past resulted in attempts to control their numbers. Once a common bird in London, the rate of decline is truly alarming. The house sparrow population in Britain has dropped by 64% in the last 25 years.
Alarming decline
The house sparrow is on the ‘Red List’ of British birds – those of the highest conservation concern. The sparrow’s disappearance from London is somewhat mysterious. Different theories suggest that air pollution may be affecting populations of aphids – a major source of food for sparrow young. Other theories include lack of nesting sites in new buildings, and also the re-establishment of the sparrow hawk in the capital. On farmland, these are attributed to changes in agricultural practices. Housing of livestock in inaccessible buildings, mechanisation of grain harvest and more effective storage of grain and animal feeds all reduced sparrows access to food. Recent cereal hygiene regulations mean that farm buildings are sealed, and therefore offer fewer nesting sites.
How to spot
Male house sparrows have streaked brown plumage with pale cheeks, a grey crown and black bib. The females are paler and without the patterned head. They are social, noisy and gregarious; they are often found in small flocks. They should not be confused with the Tree sparrow which look similar but have a few notable differences.
Tree sparrow
This is smaller than a house sparrow and more active, with its tail almost permanently cocked. It has a chestnut brown head and nape (rather than grey), and white cheeks and collar with a contrasting black cheek-spot. They are shyer than house sparrows in the UK and are not associated with man, although in continental Europe they nest in buildings just like house sparrows.
Where and when to see
Sparrows are typically found near human habitation all year round, including city centres, parks, and gardens. They have also been spotted deep in London Underground stations! The house sparrow’s natural range stretches from Ireland to Siberia, north to the Arctic Circle and south to North Africa, the Middle East, India and Sri Lanka.
When
The main nesting season is from April to August, although nesting has been recorded in all months. Most birds lay two or three clutches, but in a good year fourth attempts are not uncommon.
Fascinating fact
Sparrow pie was a common rural dish in Britain up to the time of the First World War, and even later: a sparrow pie containing 100 sparrows was served on 16 January 1967 at the Rose Inn at Peldon, near Colchester!