Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Eurasian Tree Sparrow adult; Holstebro, Denmark.

About the photographs

About the map

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

Native to the Old World, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow was released into the St. Louis, Missouri, area in 1870, where it became established. Unlike its close relative, the House Sparrow, it has not spread very far from the original point of introduction.

Description

• Small, stocky songbird.
• Bill thick.
• Legs short.
• Chest unstreaked.
• Wingbars.
• Black throat and ear patch.
• White cheeks.
• Rufous crown.

• Size: 14-15 cm (6-6 in)
• Wingspan: 20-22 cm (8-9 in)
• Weight: 18-28 g (0.64-0.99 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike.

Sound

Calls a slightly metallic "cheep, chirrup." Song a series of cheeps.

Conservation Status

Introduced population not large, expanding range slightly.

Other Names

Moineau friquet (French)
Gorrión molinero (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The Eurasian Tree Sparrow typically lives near people, but it has been displaced from urban centers and into more rural areas by its larger and more aggressive relative the House Sparrow.
• Outside of North America, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow shows considerable variation in plumage and size, which has resulted in the naming of up to 33 separate races. The North American birds came originally from Germany and are from the most widespread race.

Sources used to construct this page:

Barlow, J. C., and S. N. Leckie. 2000. Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus). In The Birds of North America, No. 560 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.