House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
Family Passeridae

A familiar, sooty city bird, the House Sparrow was introduced in America from Europe in 1851. It is an Old World sparrow (Family Passeridae) and is unrelated to native, American sparrows.

Identifying Traits (male):

• Small, stocky songbird
• Black throat and white cheeks
• Chestnut nape
• Thick, black bill
• Juvenile will have yellowish bill, lack black throat, and have a dingy gray body
• Size: 14-16 cm (6")
• Weight: 26-32 g (0.92-1.1 oz)

Identifying Traits (female):

• Like Juvenile, with yellowish bill, no black throat
• Dingy brown body
• Pale eye stripe

Voice: Song a monotonous series of chirps. Call a metallic cheep.

Habitat: The House Sparrow makes its home wherever humans are, in cities, towns, farms, and nearly all other human-disturbed areas.

Range: The House Sparrow be found throughout the continental United States

Interesting Facts: Introduced into Brooklyn, New York in 1851, the House Sparrow made its way to the Rocky Mountains by 1900, and reached the Pacific Coast by 1910. While not a water bird, the House Sparrow can swim underwater if it needs to. It has been observed going diving underwater when caught in a water dish trap.