Identification:
The
House or English Sparrow "is a brown, chunky
bird, about 5.75 inches long." Sparrows are commonly found around
human-made habitats. "The male has a distinctive black bib, white cheeks, a
chestnut mantle around the gray crown, and chestnut-colored feathers on the
upper wings. The female and young have plane, dingy-gray breast, a distinct
buff eye stripe, and a streaked back."
Habitat:
The house sparrow can be found in almost every habitat, except for dense
forest, desert, and alpine environments. Sparrows' most common areas to
live is human-altered habitats, for example: barns and houses. Livestock
pastures and seeds provide plenty of food for sparrows.
General Biology:
Reproduction can occur during any month, but is most common during the
months of March through August. "The male usually selects a nest site and
controls a territory centered around it. Nests are bulky, roofed affairs,
built haphazardly and without good workmanship." This is a common trait of
the weaver finch group of birds. "Sparrows are loosely monogamous." Both
male and female take care of the young, even though the female does most of
the brooding. Sparrows lay between 3 to 7 eggs. The eggs will hatch 10 to
14 days after incubation. The young leave the nest after 15 days, however
the adults will continue to feed the young for two weeks after leaving the
nest. House sparrows are aggressive and social. Sparrows are not a
migratory bird. Studies have shown that non-breeding adult and juveniles
will only move in a 5 mile radius of its original nest; in search of new
territories and feeding areas. "Mortality is the highest during the first
year of life. The sparrow's success in the wild depends on its ability to
adapt to new habitats, especially those that are made by humans.
Damage:
House sparrows feed on grains in fields and in storage. Because they feed in
large numbers in small areas, their damage is considerable. "Because
sparrows live in such close association with humans, they are a factor in
the dissemination of diseases (chlamydiosis, cocidiosis, erysipeloid,
Newcastle's, parathypoid, pullorum, salmonellosis, transmissile
gastroeneteritis, tuberculosis, various encphalitis viruses, vibriosis, and
yersinosis), internal parasites (acariasis, taeniasis, schistosomiasis,
toxoplosmosis, and trichomoniasis), and household pests (bed bugs, carpet
beetles, clothes moths, fleas, lice, mites, and ticks." Fecal contamination
of grain storage facilities causes serious monetary damage as well as
health risks and pest problems. "House sparrow droppings and feathers
create janitorial problems as well as hazardous, unsanitary, and
odoriferous situations inside and outside of buildings and sidewalks under
roosting areas. Sparrows can cause structural damage by pecking at rigid
foam insulation inside of buildings. "The bulky, flammable nests of house
sparrows are a potential fire hazard." House sparrows compete with native
American birds for favored nesting sites.
Legal Status:
House sparrows are not protected by federal law because they are an
introduced species to America. Some states in the United States do offer
them protection, and require a permit for the removal or eradication of
house sparrows. Consult with your local government before applying a method
of treatment.
Damage Prevention:
All openings 3/4" or smaller must be closed off.
Eliminate any possible areas that could be used to secure a nest or could
be a roosting area.
Acknowledgement:
Courtesy of The Wildlife Damage Handbook
Methods of Treatment: