Species · GBIF taxon 5231190
Passer domesticus
passer domesticusAlso known as English Sparrow, Domestic Sparrow
House sparrows are highly social, boisterous songbirds that thrive in close association with human settlements, nesting in building crevices and nest boxes. They form noisy flocks year-round, dust-bathing in dry dirt patches and aggressively defending their nesting sites. Their diet consists primarily of seeds, grains, and discarded human food, which they forage on the ground with a hopping motion.
UrbanSocialAdaptable
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Seeds
- Insects
- Grains
Predators
- Domestic Cat
- Cooper's Hawk
- Barn Owl
ThreatsPredation by domestic cats, habitat changes, and insect decline
HabitatsUrban areas, suburbs, agricultural lands, and parks
Life span3 to 5 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilyPasseridae
- GenusPasser
- Speciespasser domesticus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Feeder placement: Use tube feeders with small perches to deter them if favoring native species.
- Nest box exclusion: Install 1.125-inch entry holes to prevent them from entering chickadee boxes.
- Observation: Watch for their communal dust-bathing behavior in dry, dusty garden patches.
Keep collecting in Fauna
Continue in the app Found in Collections
Species set Pro
Backyard Birds
Passer domesticus is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
Unlock to track progress
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.









