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Natural habitat of House Sparrow
House Sparrow, a Introduced Common bird in Australia

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

IntroducedStatus
CommonRarity
Image of House Sparrow
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Species Description

The House Sparrow is one of Australia’s most widespread and familiar introduced birds, living in cities, towns, and farms across much of the continent. Since their introduction in the 19th century, House Sparrows have become a common sight wherever people live, often gathering in noisy flocks and adapting to a variety of human-altered environments as an invasive species.

Fun Facts

House Sparrows are now found on every continent except Antarctica.

1. Males have a black throat bib, grey crown, and chestnut nape.

2. Females are plain brown with a pale eyebrow and unmarked throat.

3. Both sexes have a chunky build and strong, seed-crushing bill.

House Sparrows feed mainly on seeds and grains, but also eat insects, especially when feeding their young. They forage mostly on the ground in groups. Nesting occurs mainly from August to January, with females laying 3–6 eggs per clutch. Both parents build the nest, incubate the eggs, and feed the chicks. They often raise several broods in a season, taking advantage of abundant food and shelter in human environments. As an invasive species they compete with native species for resources.

House Sparrows are found in urban and rural environments across eastern, southern, and southwestern Australia, especially where people provide food and nesting sites. They are common in parks, gardens, outdoor eating areas, and around farm buildings, often seen dust-bathing, feeding in groups, or chattering noisily in dense shrubs.

Physical Attributes

Height

15 cm

Size Relative to Other Birds20%

Top Locations

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Top birding locations will be available in a future update.