House Sparrow

House Sparrow (Male Left / Female Right)

The Latin name of the House Sparrow is Passer  Domesticus. House sparrows have a thicker bill and shorter legs than the indigenous American Sparrow. It is a stout, stocky sparrow. Both males and female house sparrows are brown with black streaks along their backs. Its underside is pale buff. A male's color is based on whether it is breeding or not. Non-breeding house sparrows have a yellowish bill. They are streaked brown, black, and buff and have a dingy underbelly. Breeding house sparrows are known for their gray crowns and chestnut necks. White cheeks are also a characteristic attributed to breeding house sparrows. House sparrows are non-migratory birds. They usually stay within a mile of their birthplace. Male house sparrows look for a potential nesting area and hover around the spot chirping hoping to attract a mate. The male sparrow chirps louder and quicker when a female is near. The male may follow the female hopping around and quivering his wings. House sparrows are most commonly seen around human developments. They are absent from uninhabited forests and grasslands.  House sparrow nests are usually built in an enclosed niche. House sparrows adapt to the environment and eat a large variety of things. Although the majority of their diet is seeds, they also eat some insects, fruits, and vegetables. House sparrows have a global breeding population of 540 million.