House Sparrow

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House Sparrow in the UK

A very common resident, with about 5.3 million pairs in the UK. It is Red-listed all the same, and has been since 2002, because numbers fell so far in the late 20th century. Losses were heaviest in towns and suburbs, at around 60% by 2000, and it has gone from parts of some city centres. The Breeding Bird Survey shows a further 18% fall between 1995 and 2024, though trends differ by region, with gains in parts of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Shortage of insects for chicks and loss of nest holes in buildings are the leading explanations.

Where and when to see a House Sparrow

Anywhere people live, from city estates to remote farmsteads, but in tight, loyal colonies. One street can have dozens and the next none. Look for thick hedges, ivy or bramble used as daytime cover, close to buildings with gaps under eaves and tiles. Birds are present all year and rarely move more than a mile or two in their lives. Garden feeders with seed mixes attract them at any season. Late summer flocks spill into nearby grain fields.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Around human habitation.
Diet: Seeds, scraps.
Field note: Flocks; cheeky chirpers.

How to identify a House Sparrow

A stocky, thick-billed bird about 14 cm long. The male has a grey crown, chestnut sides to the head, pale grey cheeks and a black bib that grows larger in spring as pale feather tips wear away. His back is streaked chestnut and black with one white wingbar. The female is plain buff-brown with a pale stripe behind the eye, a streaked back and unmarked grey-buff underparts. Sparrows hop, feed on the ground in groups and dive into cover together when disturbed.

Call and song

A loud, simple 'chirp' or 'cheep', repeated from a gutter or hedge, which is all the song amounts to. Groups keep up a noisy chattering from inside bushes, and give a dry rattle when alarmed. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Eurasian Tree Sparrow: Tree Sparrow has an all-chestnut crown and a black spot on a white cheek, and the sexes look alike.
• Dunnock: Dunnock has a thin bill and a grey head and breast, and creeps alone under bushes instead of feeding in a flock.
• Chaffinch: A female Chaffinch is unstreaked above with two bold white wingbars and white outer tail feathers.

Related guide Bird migration in Britain.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the House Sparrow is a Common tier bird, worth +1 point when you log one. It is Red-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the highest level of concern in the UK.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Italian SparrowLegendary · Around buildings (extreme vagrant)
• Spanish SparrowLegendary · Around buildings (extreme vagrant)
• Eurasian Tree SparrowUncommon · Hedgerow farmland
• European RobinCommon · Gardens

Tell it apart

Side-by-side ID guides: House Sparrow vs Tree Sparrow vs Dunnock.

House Sparrow: quick answers

Why have House Sparrows declined in the UK?

No single cause has been proved. In towns, chicks starving for lack of insects and fewer nest sites in modern or repaired roofs are the best-supported reasons. On farmland, less spilt grain and fewer weedy stubbles cut winter survival.

What does a House Sparrow eat?

Mostly seeds and grain, with household scraps, buds and berries. Chicks need insects such as aphids, caterpillars and beetles for their first days. At feeders it favours millet, sunflower hearts and mixed seed.

How can I help House Sparrows in my garden?

Put up nestboxes with 32 mm holes close together under the eaves, as they nest in loose colonies. Keep a dense hedge or shrub for cover, feed seed year round and leave some long grass and native plants to produce insects.

Kit that helps

Best bird food for UK gardens. Affiliate links, our own picks, no extra cost to you.