Tree Sparrow

Passer montanus

Smaller than a House Sparrow and more active, with its tail almost permanently cocked. It has a chestnut brown head and nape (rather than grey), and white cheeks and collar with a contrasting black cheek-spot.

Size

14cm

Weight

2-3g

Habitat

Farmland, parks, and the edges of suburbs where there are large gardens.

Nest

Nests are constructed from leaves, stems and roots and lined with moss, hair and feathers. The same nests maybe used for a number of years.

Eggs

1-3 clutches of 2-7 pale grey eggs with brown marks in April-July.

Food

Plant and animal food, especially seeds. Insects are important during the breeding season.

Voice

Basic tchurp note.

Characteristics

The Tree Sparrow is scarcer in the uplands, and the far north and west of the UK. The main populations are now found across the Midlands, southern and eastern England. It is almost absent from the south west, Wales and the north west.

BTO Statistics

Changes in agriculture have greatly reduced the population of Tree Sparrows across much of Britain and as such their status is red. It is thought that the current UK population is just 3% of that if the 1970's.

Breeding

The female incubates the eggs for 11-14 days and fledging occurs 15-20 days after hatching.

Feeding

Tree Sparrows mainly forage on the ground or in low bushes. They eat a range of plants, seeds and will feed their young insects in the breeding season.