Psilos Bird Photography |
House sparrow (Passer domesticus) |
Known by just about everyone this noisy
and gregarious bird has taken advantage of mans rubbish and wastefulness
and colonised all over the world, with an estimated population of around
500 million birds. A very real pest in the USA where its large numbers
are threatening nesting native birds its population is in decline in
the UK. It can be found in towns, villages, parks, gardens and industrial
areas where it nests in buildings holes and crevices, in creepers, trees
and bushes and also in nestboxes. The female lays 3-4 eggs which she
incubates for 11-14 days. The young fledge at 11-19 days. |
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The above sparrow was nesting in a nest
box in central wales. He is in his full breeding plumage. The next two
photos below show the female. |
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Juvenile male (photo below) |
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A familiar place to see the house sparrow
is chattering on a gutter. Roofs are a favourite nesting place. |
