House Sparrow

• the house sparrow is a small, grey and brown bird of around 14-15cm.
• of all wild bird species, the house sparrow is perhaps the most closely associated with man.
• house sparrows are well known for their frequent cheeping and chirruping from roofs and gutters.
• can still be seen at any time of year in almost any location close to human habitation
• the male has a grey and black head and face, black bib and grey breast with
• mottled brown back and wings whereas the female has a grey breast with a mostly mottled grey and lighter brown back
• around towns, villages and farms the house sparrow may be the main performer in the dawn chorus
• look out for house sparrows in built-up areas, Parks and gardens where birds are regularly fed
• before mating can take place, the male house sparrow has to perform a 'dance' in which he repeatedly encircles the female, crouching forward with his feathers fluffed up and chirping constantly
• the house sparrow nests in close association with man, but a nest 600m down a coal mine shaft in Yorkshire was exceptional