A scarce and declining bird, the tree sparrow can be spotted on farmland and in woodlands; it is not an urban bird in the UK. It has a brown cap and black cheek-spots, unlike the similar house sparrow.
Scientific name
Passer montanus
When to see
January to December
Species information
Statistics
Length: 14cm
Wingspan: 21cm
Weight: 24g
Average lifespan: 2 years
Conservation status
Classified in the UK as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021). Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.
The tree sparrow is a scarce bird of farmland, hedgerows and woodland edges, and is not associated with man in the way that the house sparrow is in the UK. Tree sparrows mate for life; they nest in holes in trees and can produce two or three broods a year, each containing up to seven eggs. They eat seeds, weeds, cereals and also insects.
How to identify
Male and female tree sparrows look the same, with chestnut-brown crowns, chestnut backs, buff undersides, white cheeks and black cheek-spots. Male house sparrows, however, have grey caps and plain grey cheeks without spots.
Distribution
Widespread in England, southern Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland.
Did you know?
In parts of Asia, tree sparrows are widespread in towns and cities, rather than being birds of rural countryside.
