Habitat
In both their native and introduced ranges, Java Sparrows live in open areas around people, usually at lower elevations. Flocks often forage in rice fields.
Back to topFood
Java Sparrows feed mainly on weed and grass seeds, cultivated grains, insects, and fruit. They forage on the ground and climb plant stalks. Large flocks of Java Sparrows often forage in rice fields, earning the species a reputation as an agricultural pest in some regions.
Back to topNesting
Nest Placement
Placed in artificial and natural cavities, including under roof tiles and the eaves of buildings, in tree and limestone cliff cavities, and in abandoned woodpecker holes.
Nest Description
A dome or bell-shaped structure with a side entrance. Woven with grasses, tendrils, and coconut and palm strips. Captive birds line their nests with hair and feathers.
Nesting Facts
| Clutch Size: | 3-8 eggs |
| Egg Description: | White. |
Behavior
Java Sparrows are highly social birds that nest colonially, often occur in pairs or small flocks, and gather in large flocks of up to 200 individuals. Smaller groups roost communally in nests throughout the year. When feeding, Java Sparrows hop on the ground and climb up grass stems to feed on seedheads. They also visit bird feeders when available.
Back to topConservation
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists Java Sparrow’s conservation status as Endangered and estimates the population size in its native range at 1,000–2,499 mature individuals. In addition, Java Sparrow has fairly large introduced populations in the Philippines and Hawaiian Islands. Commonly kept as a cage bird, this species has declined dramatically in Indonesia due to intense trapping activity. Trapping was believed to have decreased after a peak in the 1960s and 1970s, but in the early 2000s, an estimated 38% of adults were trapped in central and eastern Java. Nowadays much of the pet trade comes from captive-bred birds.
Back to topCredits
BirdLife International. 2021. Lonchura oryzivora. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22719912A183133210. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22719912A183133210.en.
Eaton, J. A., B. van Balen, N. W. Brickle, and F. E. Rheindt (2016). Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.
Floyd, T. (2025). Field Guide to the Birds of the United States and Canada. Eighth edition. National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C.
Islam, K. (2021). Java Sparrow (Padda oryzivora), version 1.1. In Birds of the World (S. M. Billerman, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.javspa.01.1