# House Sparrow (*Passer domesticus*)

> The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a stocky, human-commensal songbird native to Eurasia and North Africa and introduced nearly worldwide. Males have grey caps and black bibs; birds eat seeds and scraps in towns and farms. Globally Least Concern, yet sharp urban declines in parts of western Europe sparked research into nest sites and invertebrate chick food.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Native to Eurasia and North Africa; introduced nearly worldwide in cities and farms.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/house-sparrow/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Passeriformes
- **Family:** Passeridae
- **Genus:** Passer

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Passer domesticus |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Habitat | Towns, farms, and human settlements |
| Lifespan | Around 5 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 0.03 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 45 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Companion of human settlements

Few birds are more tied to buildings, grain stores, and farmyards. Males show a black bib whose size relates to status; females are plainer brown. Chirping colonies nest in cavities and eaves.

## Seeds, scraps, and chick insects

Adults take seeds and human food waste; nestlings need soft-bodied insects. Lack of urban invertebrates can starve chicks even when adult seed food seems plentiful.

## Nearly global towns and farms

Native across Eurasia and North Africa; introduced to the Americas, Australia, Africa, and islands with European settlement. Across its range it is tied to towns, farms, and human settlements, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.

## Global LC, local crashes

Still Least Concern worldwide thanks to huge range, but London and other European cities saw dramatic falls linked to building design, pollution, and chick-food shortages.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why are house sparrows declining in some cities?

Loss of nest cavities in modern buildings and scarce insect food for chicks are leading explanations in western Europe.

### Are house sparrows native to North America?

No — they were introduced from Europe in the nineteenth century and spread widely.

### What do baby house sparrows eat?

Mostly insects and other soft invertebrates brought by parents — that is the usual English name for a young house sparrow.

### How can you tell male and female house sparrows apart?

Males have a grey crown and black bib; females are uniformly brown and streaky without the bib.

### Do house sparrows migrate?

Most populations are resident around human settlements year-round.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/house-sparrow/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.