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House sparrow: Passer domesticus

Noisy and incredibly sociable, the house sparrow can be found around the world, feeding on seeds and scraps across farmland and in urban and suburban areas. An opportunistic bird, it will be seen by most of us in our gardens, where it visits bird tables and feeders. 

Male house sparrows are brown and grey, with chestnut-coloured wings sporting distinctive white bars, a black bib and grey cap.  Females and young birds are dull brown. House sparrows measure 14-15 cm. Their vocabulary consists of a wide range of chirping and chattering sounds.

The male bird will defend his territory with vigour, standing his ground if any other male comes near his nesting hole or the surrounding area. House sparrows live in colonies rather than alone, making their nests in building crevices or among ivy, bushes or in nest boxes. 

Nests are of a slightly unruly construction, made from plant stems, grasses, straw, string and bits of discarded material they come across. Lined with soft materials such as hair, wool and feathers, the nest is a comfortable place for three to five eggs to be incubated. Two to three broods are common, with both male and female birds feeding their young.

House sparrows love: Henry Bell Superior Seed Mix, No Grow Mix, No Mess Mix, Blue Tit Blend, Mealworms, Sunflower hearts, Nyger Seeds

 House sparrow: Passer domesticus