The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus domesticus) is a small bird in the Passeridae family of sparrows.
The House Sparrow has black, white, and brown feathers, with grey underparts. The female has more grey feathers on her back than the male. The male has a dark-grey crown and a black patch on its throat. The female has no black markings or dark-grey crown. It has a short, thick greyish-black beak. Its tail is short.
It grows to about 16 centimetres (6 inches) tall.
The House Sparrow is found in most parts of the world. The Passer domesticus domesticus is found in most of Europe. It prefers woodlands, grasslands, and locations near human activity. It flits in and around bushes and small trees.
It is not migratory, and does not travel far from the nest. It is residential.
It feeds on grains and weeds, as well as small insects. It feeds on the ground. Its predators include cats, owls, hawks, and mammals.
The House Sparrow is a social bird. It lives in small flocks.
The male makes a domed nest in buildings, tree hollows, and cliffs. The female lays 4-5 eggs, which hatch after 11-14 days. Both parents feed the chicks. The young birds stay in the nest for 11-23 days.
Location of photographs: Tbilisi, Georgia and Paris, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM