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Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Passer montanus ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: PASSERIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

Native to the Old World, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow was released into the St. Louis, Missouri, area in 1870, where it became established. Unlike its close relative, the House Sparrow, it has not spread very far from the original point of introduction.

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Appearance

Sparrowlike
Sparrowlike
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small, stocky songbird.
  • Bill thick.
  • Legs short.
  • Chest unstreaked.
  • Wingbars.
  • Black throat and ear patch.
  • White cheeks.
  • Rufous crown.

Immature Description

Juvenile duller with grayish patch in center of crown blending into reddish brown at sides of crown, and indistinct dark ear-patch.

Range Map Help

Eurasian Tree Sparrow Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult
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    Eurasian Tree Sparrow

    Adult
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Holstebro, Denmark

Similar Species

  • Male House Sparrow is larger and chunkier, lacks a dark ear patch and a white collar, and has a small white spot over the eye, and grayer underparts. Female House Sparrow quite different, lacking dark throat and cap.