![]() ![]() The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is a common bird that inhabits a very large range and an estimated population of 190,000,000-309,999,999 mature individuals, which justifies its status as a least concern species. In eastern Asia, however, the Tree Sparrow is very common in urban areas. In Europe, though quite common in parks and large gardens in suburban areas and in the outskirts of towns and cities, this species is a lot more tied to rural habitats than the House Sparrow. ![]() The Tree Sparrow lives in farmland and open woodland. During the breeding season, both males and females display aggressive behaviour towards members of the same sex.įound all across Eurasia, except for the coldest areas of Siberia and Scandinavia, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow has been introduced in Australia, in the area of Melbourne, Victoria, and in the US, specifically in Saint Louis, Missouri, whence it has spread a little into the neighbouring states of Illinois and Iowa. A couple may raise up to 3 broods per year, each clutch consisting of 2-7 pale grey eggs with brown marks, which are incubated by both parents for 11-14 days. Tree Sparrows are known to be frequent users of nest boxes. The nest, made of straw, leaves and twigs and lined with moss, hair and feathers, is usually located inside a pre-existing cavity in a tree, building, or cliff. It mainly forages on the ground or in low bushes and often visits bird feeders. The Tree Sparrow feeds on seeds and insects. Its voice is similar to the House Sparrow's, but higher pitched.Ī rather gregarious species, the Tree Sparrow tends to form loose colonies, often mixing with other small passerines. The sexes are alike, and the juvenile is similar to the adult. The Tree Sparrow is also smaller and more compact-looking than the House Sparrow and other similar species. It can also be distinguished by the absence of grey on the crown, the white collar and the two thin wingbars (the House Sparrow has one). The presence of a black spot on each cheek makes the Tree Sparrow unique among european sparrows. Its underparts are whitish, its upperparts brown streaked with black, its cap brown, and its throat black. So next time you’re out and about and see a little brown bird, why not stop a second and see if you can tell what it is!įor a good chance of seeing both sparrow species, head to our Montrose Basin Visitor Centre.The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is 13-15 (5-6 in) long, weighs 17-29 g (0.5-1 oz, and has a 20-22 cm (7.8-8.6 in) wingspan. Whilst these birds are rarer than they used to be, they can still be seen throughout the year across many parts of Scotland. The estimated breeding population in the UK is 5,300,000 pairs.They are more opportunist eaters than tree sparrows, feeding on seeds but also on scraps from bins and picnic benches which is why they are more common in urban areas.Females have a buff-coloured crown and lack the black around their eyes and throats. Males have a light grey crown, black around their eyes and a black patch covering their throat and upper chest. Males and females have quite different plumage.House sparrows are slightly larger than tree sparrows, measuring up to 15cm from head to tail.The estimated breeding population in the UK is 200,000 pairs.Tree sparrows feed on seeds, cereals and insects.Pairs will often nest in holes in trees and produce two to three broods of up to seven eggs each year. Males and females look the same and mate for life.Measuring around 14cm from head to tail, tree sparrows are normally seen around hedgerows, farmland and woodland edges.Read on for a few other distinguishing features between the species. The simplest way to tell the difference between house sparrows and tree sparrows is to look at their crown! Tree sparrows have a solid chestnut-brown head and nape, whilst house sparrows (males at least) have a light grey crown. How to tell the difference between a house sparrow and a tree sparrow Let’s look at how you tell the difference between a house sparrow vs tree sparrow. These small finch-like birds have the unfortunate tendency of often being grouped in the “little brown bird” category, but whilst they may not be adorned with the brightest of colours, there are several easy ways to distinguish them. Reassuringly, recent Breeding Bird Survey data also suggests that numbers of both species may have stabilised or even begun to increase slightly in recent years. Tree sparrows have suffered a staggering 93% decline since 1970, with house sparrows not fairing much better, having seen a more than 70% decline in the same time. Once very common birds, both species have suffered significant declines in recent decades and as such, both appear on the UK Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. The UK is home to two species of sparrow: the tree sparrow and the house sparrow. ![]()
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