Tree sparrow (Passer montanus)

Description

Tree sparrow fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Tree sparrow description

Similar to the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), the tree sparrow (Passer montanus) was not recognised as a separate species until 1713 ⁽⁴⁾. Both sexes are similar ⁽⁵⁾, with a rich chestnut-brown head and nape, a clear black spot on white cheeks, and a white collar. The voice consists of various chirps and cheeps, which are of a higher pitch than those of the house sparrow ⁽⁵⁾.

French

Moineau friquet.

Size

Length: 14 cm ⁽²⁾

Tree sparrow biology

Tree sparrows feed mainly on plant matter, including seeds, buds, shoots, berries and flowers, they also take invertebrates such as grasshoppers, beetles and spiders when available. The young are fed entirely on invertebrates in their first week ⁽²⁾. The breeding season is between mid April and early August. The nest is built in holes, dense conifers or occasionally in old nests of larger birds. Two to three broods can be produced a year, each containing 2-7 eggs. The incubation duties are shared by both parents; after 11 to14 days the chicks hatch and fledging occurs after a further 15 to 20 days. ⁽²⁾.

Tree sparrow range

The tree sparrow has a broad geographical range, and is generally found throughout western, central and southern Europe, east into Asia to the Pacific coast of Russia and south to Indonesia ⁽²⁾. The UK population of the tree sparrow underwent a drastic decline of 95% between 1970 and 1998 ⁽⁷⁾; the species is now scarce in the uplands, the far north and west, and is almost absent from the south west, Wales and the north west. Some populations persist in the Midlands, southern and eastern England ⁽⁶⁾.

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Tree sparrow habitat

The tree sparrow inhabits open farmland with plenty of hedgerows, trees or small woodland patches ⁽²⁾. It can also be found in large gardens and disused quarries and on the edges of wetlands and open water such as reservoirs and gravel pits. In Scotland flocks may form on stubble and turnip fields in winter ⁽²⁾.

Tree sparrow status

The tree sparrow is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾. It is included in the Birds of Conservation Concern (UK) Red List. Listed under Appendix III of the Bern Convention, and the EC Birds Directive. Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 ⁽³⁾.

Tree sparrow threats

Although the reasons for the decline of the tree sparrow are not fully known, it has coincided with severe declines in many other farmland bird species ⁽⁶⁾. The decline is highly likely to be due to changes in agricultural practices such as the switch to autumn sown rather than spring sown crops which results in a reduction of winter stubble fields, valuable sources of food for these species. The use of herbicides and pesticides may also have an impact on the food supply. Availability of nesting sites may also be causing problems for the tree sparrow. In the 1970s and 80s many large elms were lost as a result of Dutch elm disease, removing a large number of nesting sites from the landscape ⁽⁶⁾.

Tree sparrow conservation

In a number of areas, nest box schemes have been started to provide the tree sparrow with suitable nesting sites. Agri-environment schemes such as the new Arable Stewardship Scheme encourage the retention of winter stubble fields and other measures that should benefit the species. The tree sparrow is a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, the plan aims to halt or reverse the decline by 2003 and promote a sustained recovery of the species ⁽⁶⁾.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP.

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Find out more

For more information on the tree swallow and other bird species:

• BirdLife International:
  http://www.birdlife.org
• The RSPB:
  http://www.rspb.org.uk

Authentication

Information authenticated by the RSPB:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/

Glossary

Agri-environment schemes

These schemes allow the government to compensate farmers for using methods that benefit the environment. The two main initiatives in the UK are the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Since October 2000 these have formed part of the England Rural Development Programme (EDRP), administered by DEFRA, the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs. For more on these initiatives see: http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/erdphome.htm

Incubation

The act of incubating eggs, that is, keeping them warm so that development is possible.

Invertebrates

Animals with no backbone, such as insects, crustaceans, worms, molluscs, spiders, cnidarians (jellyfish, corals, sea anemones), echinoderms, and others.

References

1. IUCN Red List (February, 2011)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/
2. RSPB (November 2001)
   http://www.rspb.org.uk
3. UK Biodiversity (November 2001)
   http://www.ukbap.org.uk/
4. Greenoak, F. (1997) British birds, their folklore, names and literature. Christopher Helm A&C Black, London.
5. Peterson, R.T., Mountfort, G., Hollom. (1993) Collins Field Guide. Birds of Britain and Europe. Harper Collins, London.
6. Tree sparrow- RSPB (March 2003)
   http://www.rspb.org.uk/farming/advice/birdsonfarms/tree_sparrow.asp?ComponentID=24190&SourcePageID=22900#1
7. UK Biodiversity (November 2001)
   http://www.ukbap.org.uk/