| Eurasian Tree Sparrow | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Passeridae |
| Genus: | Passer |
| Species: | Passer montanus |
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus), often referred to simply as the Tree Sparrow, is a small passerine bird. It lives in Eurasia and is the smallest European sparrow.
Description[]
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is 13-15 (5-6 in) long, weighs 17-29 g (0.5-1 oz, and has a 20-22 cm (7.8-8.6 in) wingspan. Its underparts are whitish, its upperparts brown streaked with black, its cap brown, and its throat black. The presence of a black spot on each cheek makes the Tree Sparrow unique among european sparrows. It can also be distinguished by the absence of grey on the crown, the white collar and the two thin wingbars (the House Sparrow has one). The Tree Sparrow is also smaller and more compact-looking than the House Sparrow and other similar species. The sexes are alike, and the juvenile is similar to the adult.
Voice[]
Its voice is similar to the House Sparrow's, but higher pitched.
Behavior[]
A rather gregarious species, the Tree Sparrow tends to form loose colonies, often mixing with other small passerines. It is not a migratory bird.
Feeding[]
The Tree Sparrow feeds on seeds and insects. It mainly forages on the ground or in low bushes and often visits bird feeders.
Breeding[]
Adult returning to its nest.
Nesting occurs from April to July. The nest, made of straw, leaves and twigs and lined with moss, hair and feathers, is usually located inside a pre-existing cavity in a tree, building, or cliff. Tree Sparrows are known to be frequent users of nest boxes. A couple may raise up to 3 broods per year, each clutch consisting of 2-7 pale grey eggs with brown marks, which are incubated by both parents for 11-14 days. The young fledge at 15-20 days of age. During the breeding season, both males and females display aggressive behaviour towards members of the same sex.
Distribution and habitat[]
Found all across Eurasia, except for the coldest areas of Siberia and Scandinavia, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow has been introduced in Australia, in the area of Melbourne, Victoria, and in the US, specifically in Saint Louis, Missouri, whence it has spread a little into the neighbouring states of Illinois and Iowa. The Tree Sparrow lives in farmland and open woodland. In Europe, though quite common in parks and large gardens in suburban areas and in the outskirts of towns and cities, this species is a lot more tied to rural habitats than the House Sparrow. In eastern Asia, however, the Tree Sparrow is very common in urban areas.
Status[]
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is a common bird that inhabits a very large range and an estimated population of 190,000,000-309,999,999 mature individuals, which justifies its status as a least concern species. However, for the past few decades, the European population has been decreasing, probably due to changes in agricultural practices.
Gallery[]
