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Tree Sparrow

Passer montanus

Not yet photographed by the community

Chestnut cap, black cheek spot; declining farmland species.

Species Profile

Red List (rapidly declining population across the UK)

Lifespan: 5–8 years in the wild
Size & Weight: 12–13 cm, wingspan 21–25 cm; 18–22 g
Habitat: Open woodland edges, farmland, parks, and gardens with mature trees, preferring areas with scattered conifers and deciduous trees.
UK Distribution: Resident throughout much of England and Wales, with populations concentrated in central and eastern regions. Largely absent from Scotland and southwestern areas. Population has declined significantly since the 1990s.
Diet: Primarily seeds from grasses, herbs, and cultivated plants; insects and invertebrates during breeding season, especially for chicks.
Predators: Sparrowhawks, Eurasian kestrels, and occasionally domestic cats; corvids may prey on eggs and chicks.
Mating Season: April to August
Breeding: Clutch size 3–5 eggs; incubation period 12–13 days; fledging 13–15 days. Usually 2 broods per year, occasionally 3.
Behaviour: Highly social and gregarious outside breeding season, often forming small flocks. More shy and retiring than House Sparrows, preferring cover. Monogamous pairs that often remain together across years.

Did You Know?

•The Tree Sparrow's distinctive double black spot on the cheek makes it easily identifiable, unlike the House Sparrow's single mark.
•UK Tree Sparrow populations have declined by over 90% since the 1970s, one of the most severe avian declines in Britain.
•Tree Sparrows breed in cavities in trees, cliffs, and old buildings, often re-using nest sites year after year.
•They are largely absent from urban areas and gardens compared to House Sparrows, preferring rural and semi-rural habitats.
•Tree Sparrows can survive on a diet of tiny seeds during winter, extracting nutrition from seeds many other birds cannot utilise.

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