Irish Garden Birds - Humble House Sparrows

We're near the midpoint of this years Irish Garden Bird Survey now. It's been mild until late, but as temperatures drop and food runs out in the wider countryside you can expect greater numbers and diversity of species to be visiting your garden in the coming weeks.

This weeks species profile is the humble House Sparrow! Some people don't get these birds in their garden at all, but if you do they're probably there in good numbers!

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Species Profile: House Sparrow

As Gaeilge: ‘Gealbhan binne’

Irish Garden Bird Survey Ranking 2017/18: 9th place

Conservation status: Amber-listed in Ireland due to declines at European level.

Male House Sparrow (B Burke)

Did You know?

1. The House Sparrow is one of the most widely distributed birds in the world. It is native to Europe and much of Asia, but was introduced by humans to Australia, parts of Africa and the Americas too.
2. House Sparrows are very social birds. In summer they nest in close association with other pairs. You can buy special 'terraced' nestboxes to accommodate them. In winter they flock together.
3. House Sparrows are predominantly seed-eaters. Over the centuries they came to realise that there is often seed available around farm buildings and dwellings, leading to a close association with humans and the 'house' in their name. Their association with humans is thought to date back around 10,000 years! 
4. Recent research has shown the species has declined drastically in many urban areas - thought to be linked to air pollution and poor diet. See here for more details.
5. House Sparrows can fly at around 45km per hour.

Female House Sparrow (B Burke)

How long do they live?

The oldest known House Sparrow in Ireland and Britain was a bit over 12 years old, but on average they only live around 3 years - similar to a lot of our garden bird species. 

What do they feed on? 

House Sparrows are predominantly seed-eaters, but will often eat various scraps from the garden, as well as peanuts. During the summer they will eat some insects, particularly when feeding their chicks.

A flock of House Sparrows on a peanut feeder (B Burke)

Irish Garden Bird Survey Trends:

Over the last 20 years of the Irish garden bird survey, House Sparrows have drifted between 7th and 12th place, coming in around 10th place on average. That means that around 82% of Irish gardens have recorded House Sparrows in the last 20 years. They seem to be doing slightly better in recent years, which fits in with their 'moderate increase' status as seen during the summer via the Countryside Bird Survey'.

Numbers don't really vary much over the winter, with gardens getting an average of 6-7 birds each week.

The graph above shows the percentage of gardens in which House Sparrows have been recorded - occurrence has increased slightly in recent years to around 85%.

Movements and Migration:

House Sparrows are largely sedentary and there have been few if any recoveries of House Sparrows ringed in Ireland being recorded abroad, or vice versa. In fact, House Sparrows usually winter within around 20km of where they breed or were born, so those ones in your garden probably aren't from too far away.

For the 15-20% of gardens who don't get House Sparrows in the winter, this is probably because you don't have them nesting nearby. 

How can I help House Sparrows?

The best way you can help House Sparrows is to provide them with additional nesting space via a nestbox. House Sparrows like to nest near each other, so if you have House Sparrows either visiting or already nesting in your garden then you can put out a few nestboxes on the same wall for them. Alternatively, you can buy a 'terraced' nestbox for them from our BirdWatch Ireland shop, which is essentially three nesting compartments in one box. 

A terraced nestbox like this, with three nest compartments, is available to buy in the BirdWatch Ireland shop. 

For House Sparrows you need a nestbox with a 32mm hole. You can find designs to build your own nestbox on the BirdWatch Ireland website here, or alternatively we sell a number of different types of nestboxes in our shop that are sure to suit your garden – see our selection here.

In older houses, House Sparrows can nest in the eaves and guttering. If you'd rather they didn't, then block up the hole outside the breeding season (i.e. now!) and put up some nestboxes to give them an easy alternative to nest in! 

House Sparrows often nest in the eaves and behind the guttering of old houses. (B Burke)

When it comes to putting out food for House Sparrows, peanuts and seeds are the way to go!

A male House Sparrow and a Coal Tit enjoying some mixed seed. (B Burke)

Lastly, to help House Sparrows and your other garden birds you can become a member of BirdWatch Ireland. Membership makes an ideal Christmas gift – one that keeps on giving throughout the year.

With your membership pack you'll get a free gift, posters of Irish Birds, loads of information on how to attract birds to your garden, and our famous Wings magazine will be delivered to your door four times per year. 

Under 18's and family memberships will also receive our 'Bird Detectives' magazine twice a year, filled with fun and educational activities!

BirdWatch Ireland membership pack.

I hope you've learned something new about House Sparrows through this species profile - if there's a species you'd like us to cover later in the winter please let us know on facebook or twitter!

And if you're not taking part already, consider taking part in our Garden Bird Survey this winter - and spread the word to friends and family - the more the merrier!