Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches

Old World sparrows are small, brown, and grey birds belonging to the family Passeridae, known for their seed-eating habits and brooding in urban environments, particularly buildings. They should not be confused with the New World sparrows of the family Passerellidae or the Java sparrow, which is unrelated. Old World sparrows are widespread, encompassing various species such as the house and Eurasian tree sparrows that thrive in cities. These birds have a stout build, with short tails, strong beaks, and range in size from the tiny chestnut sparrow to the larger parrot-billed sparrow. While their appearance might be similar to finches, they have unique anatomical features like an extra bone in the tongue to aid in seed handling. First introduced by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque in 1815, the family Passeridae typically comprises true sparrows (Passer), snowfinches (Montifringilla), and rock sparrows (Petronia), among others. Historically, sparrows were often grouped with weavers or finches due to similar characteristics. The family contains various genera, with species adapted to a range of habitats including forests, grasslands, and deserts; for example, the snowfinches inhabit cold, high-altitude regions. Social creatures, Old World sparrows often form large flocks and breed colonially, with species like the house sparrow assembling in big roosts for non-breeding periods. They engage in dust or water bathing, followed by group preening and sometimes collective singing. House sparrows usually lay 3-6 eggs with an incubation period of around two weeks. Sparrows have had a long-standing engagement with humans, spanning from agricultural pest control to serving as pets. They hold symbolic value in various cultures, often representing commonality or in religious texts as emblems of divine care. The family's distribution is primarily across Europe, Africa, and Asia, with some species introduced by humans to other regions such as North America and Australia. Attempts to manage sparrow populations due to their impact on agriculture, such as China's Great Sparrow Campaign, have often proven ineffective or counterproductive. Despite a reputation for being mundane or associated with lewdness in historical texts, sparrows maintain a significant place in human history, from being kept as colorful pets in Rome to featuring in religious and literary works as symbols of love or divine watchfulness.

Regions

Categories

A photo of a House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) , male

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus
A photo of a Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)

Tree Sparrow

Passer montanus
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.
1
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Species Categories

AccentorsAlbatrossesAnhingas, DartersAuksAustral Storm PetrelsAustralasian RobinsAustralasian WarblersBarn OwlsBee-eatersBulbulsBuntingsButtonquailCaracaras, FalconsCardinals & AlliesCettia Bush Warblers & AlliesChats, Old World FlycatchersCockatoosCormorants, ShagsCoursers, PratincolesCrows, JaysCuckoosCuckooshrikesDrongosDucks, Geese, SwansFantailsFinches, EuphoniasFlowerpeckersFrigatebirdsFrogmouthsGannets, BoobiesGrassbirds & AlliesGrebesGuineafowlGulls, Terns, SkimmersHerons, BitternsHoneyeatersHoopoesHornbillsIbises, SpoonbillsJacanasKaguKingfishersKites, Hawks, EaglesKiwisLarksLaughingthrushes & AlliesLeaf Warblers & AlliesLongspurs, Snow BuntingsLoonsMegapodesMockingbirds, ThrashersMonarchsNew World QuailNew World SparrowsNew World WarblersNew Zealand ParrotsNew Zealand WattlebirdsNew Zealand WrensNightjarsNorthern Storm PetrelsOld World ParrotsOld World Sparrows, SnowfinchesOropendolas, Orioles, BlackbirdsOspreysOwlet-nightjarsOwlsOystercatchersPainted-snipesPelicansPenguinsPetrels, Shearwaters, Diving PetrelsPheasants & AlliesPigeons, DovesPittasPloversRails, Crakes & CootsReed Warblers & AlliesRollersSandgrouseSandpipers, SnipesShrikesSkuasStarlings, RhabdornisStilts, AvocetsStitchbirdStone-curlews, Thick-kneesSunbirdsSwallows, MartinsSwiftsTanagers & AlliesThrushesTreeswiftsTropicbirdsTyrant Flycatchers, CalypturaVireos, Greenlets, Shrike-babblersWagtails, PipitsWaxbills, Munias & AlliesWhistlers & AlliesWhite-eyesWhiteheadsWoodswallows, Butcherbirds & Allies

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Viperray5
Loving it
I really enjoy being able to interact with other birders on this platform! This seems like a great way to meet other birders and find some new spots.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
Ellesse_W
Learning Birding with Birda
I’m relatively new to birding as a hobby, and Birda is a great way to keep track off all the species I see. I’m still working on my ID skills, but the app is great for figuring out potential species, and the online community is so friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend Birda to both early and serious birders! 🐦
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.