House Sparrow

House Sparrow 

(Passer domesticus)

Photographed in the wild, Toronto, Canada Apr 2009

The house sparrow was introduced to North America in the early 1850s from England. During the past century they have become the most abundant of small birds and can be found all over. These birds return to their birthplace after every migration (a characteristic known as philopatric).  Because of this, local populations have adapted to the colour of their habitat resulting in 15 distinct subspecies.

Male House Sparrow has black-streaked brown upper parts and pale gray under parts. The wings are brown with a single white bar. The cheeks and crown are pale gray, contrasting with a black throat, upper breast, and bill. Female House Sparrow lacks the black throat, is paler overall and has a buff eye stripe. The bill is pale buff.

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