House Sparrow

15 cm (6") Abundant and familiar in cities and on farms. Introduced from Europe.

Thicker bill and shorter legs than native sparrows.

Male: gray crown; gray to white cheeks; rich brown back and nape; black bill and bib; white wing bar. Rural birds are much brighter and cleaner than their city cousins.

Female: drab bird often confused with other sparrows. Brownish streaked back; buffy eyebrow; plain unstreaked grayish breast; white wing bar not always visible.

Often seen in flocks.

Nests under eaves and aggressively competes with native birds for nesting cavities.

Song: noisy monotonous chirps.

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