Introduction
Sparrows have the potential to cause significant damage to grain and horticulture crops and can spread disease to humans and plants. They also damage buildings and compete with native birds for food and nesting sites.
They are often found near where people live, particularly at backyard bird feeding sites and near aviaries, grain silos and cafes.
Tree sparrows (Passer montanus) and house sparrows (Passer domesticus) are not native to Australia but were introduced to eastern Australia where they are now common.
They have not become established in WA because of prevention measures carried out by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
They are a prohibited declared pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 and are removed when found here.
Identification
Both sparrow species are slightly larger than the common welcome swallow (Hirundo neoxena). The sparrows have wedge-shaped, finch-like bills.
Tree sparrow (Passer montanus)
The tree sparrow has a chestnut crown and nape, a black chin and white cheeks with black patches. Black extends from the bill to behind the eye and the neck has a white collar.
The back and wings are brown streaked with black, underparts are off-white.
The wings have double bands of white.
Immature birds are paler in colour, with less distinct markings.
House sparrow (Passer domesticus)
The male house sparrow has a grey crown and chestnut nape. Face and throat black and cheek white (no black spot like the tree sparrow).
The upper body is brown streaked with black, and underparts are greyish.
The female is nondescript buff - brown and has buff eyebrows.
Both sexes have two pale bars on wing.
Immature birds are similar to the female.
Report sightings to our Pest and Disease Information Service via the website or via the MyPestGuide Reporter ™ App. Note the date, time and location of the bird and take photos if possible.
Distribution
The tree sparrow occurs naturally in Eurasia but introduced populations have established in North America and Australia, in Victoria, New South Wales (Riverina region) and the Australian Capital Territory.
Tree sparrows often arrive in WA on ships from south-east Asia. Birds are usually found near seaports.
The house sparrow is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. Introduced populations occur worldwide.
In Australia, it has become established in all states except WA.
House sparrows are often found in traps set for starlings at the border of South Australia and WA near the coast. Sparrows have recently been sighted around Kununurra and Wyndham in the Kimberley region.
Habitat
Sparrows are found in cities, suburbs and rural towns, wooded country, forests, grasslands, cultivated areas, parklands, and anywhere there is human settlement. They make great use of buildings for roosting, feeding and nesting.
The tree sparrow is less common in cities.
The house sparrow can be found in a wider range of natural habitats than the tree sparrow.
Diet
Sparrows hop along the ground or search in foliage for seeds, soft fruits, flower and leaf buds and grains. They also take flying insects and eat human food scraps.
In WA, sparrows are often detected when they forage for bird seed at aviaries.
Breeding
Tree sparrows lay buff-coloured spotted eggs between September and January.
House sparrows lay larger white eggs, spotted and freckled with grey and pale brown. They breed in spring and summer, or whenever conditions are favourable.
Sparrow nests are untidy domes made from plant stems, grass, wool and feathers. Nests are built in tree holes, dense trees or shrubs, tall palms, in haystacks, woodpiles or in crevices and holes in buildings. Nests have also been built in the base of large nests of other birds.
Behaviour
Sparrows are very sociable and are usually found in small to large flocks.
Both species are attached to their nest sites for much of the year, however some individuals disperse hundreds of kilometres to explore sites for new colonies.
Damage
Sparrows damage and spoil many cereal and fruit crops. They spoil crops, animal feed and stored grain with their droppings.
They are a nuisance in outdoor eating areas by eating food and making a mess with their droppings. Nests may block gutters and down pipes, resulting in damage to buildings.
Birds entering the country onboard ships may carry exotic diseases of animals and humans.
Sparrows may also compete with native birds for food and nesting sites.
Legal status
Tree and house sparrows are prohibited declared pests under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 and associated Regulations 2013, administered by DPIRD.
Declared pest category
The Western Australian Organism List (WAOL) contains information on the area(s) in which this pest is declared and the control and keeping categories to which it has been assigned in Western Australia (WA). Use the links on this page to reach tree sparrow Passer montanus or house sparrow Passer domesticus in WAOL.
Report sightings
Note the date, time and location of the bird and take photos if possible. Report to our Pest and Disease Information Service via the website or via the MyPestGuide Reporter ™ App.