House Sparrow Photo Gallery
Breeding male
A chunky full-breasted bird with a round head and a stout bill. Breeding males have gray crowns, white cheeks, a black bib, and a chestnut neck.
© Evan Lipton | Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 16, 2015Female
Full-bodied bird of urban environments with a stout bill. Females are a plain buffy-brown overall with dingy gray-brown underparts. Their backs are noticeably striped with buff, black, and brown.
© Adam Jackson | Macaulay LibraryMichigan, April 20, 2016Breeding male
Song is a series of two-parted cheep or chirrup notes, given throughout much of the year. Females sometimes sing as well. Breeding males have a broad black bib, whitish cheek, and chestnut head with gray crown.
© Jay McGowan | Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 19, 2015Not all videos have soundNonbreeding/immature
Nonbreeding males are streaked brown, black, and buffy above and dingy below. They lack the bright chestnut neck and extensive black bib of breeding males. Note yellowish bill on nonbreeding birds.
© Jack and Shirley Foreman | Macaulay LibraryMissouri, December 03, 2016Female (with American Tree Sparrow)
Often comes to feeders or eats fallen seeds. Females are stocky and buffy-brown with gray-brown underparts. Note the stout bill, striped back, and broad, pale eyebrow stripe.
© Matthew D. Medler | Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 29, 2014Not all videos have soundBreeding male
Stocky Old World sparrow with a stout bill. The male's bib becomes darker black as the breeding season approaches.
© August Davidson-Onsgard | Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 30, 2019Nonbreeding male
Eats mainly seeds but may eat berries as well. Nonbreeding males have a yellowish bill and reduced black on the breast.
© Matthew D. Medler | Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 09, 2014Not all videos have soundMale and female
Nests in tree cavities and birdhouses, including Purple Martin houses. House Sparrows are aggressive and may evict other species to take over their nest sites.
© Matthew D. Medler | Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 06, 2014Not all videos have soundBreeding male
Nest in holes of buildings and other structures such as streetlights, gas-station roofs, signs, and the overhanging fixtures that hold traffic lights. Also nests in nest boxes and competes with other species for them.
© Lorraine Lanning | Macaulay LibraryColorado, May 15, 2017Habitat
Associated with human development. Found in cities, parks, zoos, suburban areas, and around farm buildings.
© Natalie Sandoval | Macaulay LibraryArizona, April 12, 2017Compare with Similar Species
Click on an image to compare
Species in This Family
Old World Sparrows(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Passeridae)
More to Read
Need Bird ID Help? Try Merlin
Don't miss a thing! Join our email list
The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds,
birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation.