Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Passer montanus

Unlike House Sparrows, where males and females look completely different, male and female Eurasian Tree Sparrows look identical, both sharing the signature rich copper cap.

Scientific name

Passer montanus

Taxonomy

Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Passeridae › Passer

IUCN Red List status

Least Concern

Population trend

decreasing

Biome

grassland

Habitat

Hedgerows, farmland, open woodland, parks, and gardens

Diet

Seeds, weed grains, and small insects during the breeding season

Range

Europe, Asia, North America (introduced), Australia (introduced)

Size

12.5 - 14 cm long, 18 - 29 grams

Lifespan

2 to 3 years in the wild

Active

diurnal

Threats

Agricultural intensification, loss of hedgerows, herbicide use reducing food supply, and loss of nesting cavities

Safe to approach?

Harmless and docile. Observe from any distance as they forage in lively flocks. If handling an injured bird, wear gloves to prevent minor pecks and wash hands afterward to maintain hygiene.

The Eurasian tree sparrow ( Passer montanus ) is a passerine bird in the sparrow family with a rich chestnut crown and nape, and a black patch on each pure white cheek. The sexes are similarly plumaged, and young birds are a duller version of the adult. This sparrow breeds over most of temperate Eurasia and Southeast Asia, where it is known as the tree sparrow , and it has been introduced elsewhere including the United States, where it...

Photo: Yiwenyiwen, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist

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