HOUSE SPARROW
The house sparrow is the most widely distributed wild bird in the world. The juveniles and the females are mostly buffish above and below with a dark streaked back, The male has a grey buff belly with faint streaks, a black chin and bib and a large head with grey cheeks and crown with chestnut sides. The area around the eye is black. The male's back is chestnut brown with dark streaks.
The house sparrow thrives on living with us humans. They live happily on and in our buildings. Warehouses, barns, factories, zoos and even our homes are used for nesting sites and breeding. Although you will most often see them under your bird feeders, they will feed on the seeds of grain, flowering plants and weeds. As well as seeds, they also eat invertebrates such as insects and their larvae.
Males create the nest and sit next to it calling to the females to attract them. They then display by bobbing and flashing their black bib. Although they mate for life, both male and female will copulate with other partners, with 15% of the offspring being not related to the mother's mate. An open marriage then!
