House Sparrow Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesHouse Sparrow
Breeding male
A chunky full-breasted bird with a round head and a stout bill. Breeding males have gray crowns, white cheeks, a black bib, and a chestnut neck.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 16, 2015Female
Full-bodied bird of urban environments with a stout bill. Females are a plain buffy-brown overall with dingy gray-brown underparts. Their backs are noticeably striped with buff, black, and brown.
© Adam Jackson / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, April 20, 2016Breeding male
Song is a series of two-parted cheep or chirrup notes, given throughout much of the year. Females sometimes sing as well. Breeding males have a broad black bib, whitish cheek, and chestnut head with gray crown.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 19, 2015Not all videos have sound
Nonbreeding/immature
Nonbreeding males are streaked brown, black, and buffy above and dingy below. They lack the bright chestnut neck and extensive black bib of breeding males. Note yellowish bill on nonbreeding birds.
© Jack and Shirley Foreman / Macaulay LibraryMissouri, December 03, 2016Breeding male
Breeding males' upperparts are richly patterned in chestnut and black.
© Drew Weber / Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 08, 2018Female (with American Tree Sparrow)
Often comes to feeders or eats fallen seeds. Females are stocky and buffy-brown with gray-brown underparts. Note the stout bill, striped back, and broad, pale eyebrow stripe.
© Matthew D. Medler / Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 29, 2014Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juveniles look similar to females. This individual shows a yellow gape typical of a recently fledged bird.
© August Davidson-Onsgard / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 29, 2019Breeding male
Stocky Old World sparrow with a stout bill. The male's bib becomes darker black as the breeding season approaches.
© August Davidson-Onsgard / Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 30, 2019Nonbreeding male
Eats mainly seeds but may eat berries as well. Nonbreeding males have a yellowish bill and reduced black on the breast.
© Matthew D. Medler / Macaulay LibraryNew York, November 09, 2014Not all videos have sound
Female
Females have light brownish underparts and darker upperparts with a mix of brown, black, and tan. Note also the white wingbar. The thick bill is mostly pale, but darker on top. Females are a plain buffy-brown overall with dingy gray-brown underparts. Their backs are noticeably striped with buff, black, and brown.
© August Davidson-Onsgard / Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 30, 2019Nonbreeding/immature
Compared to breeding males, nonbreeding and immature males have less black on the throat and breast and a yellowish (not black) bill.
© Alex Wiebe / Macaulay LibraryNew York, December 27, 2019Male and female
Nests in tree cavities and birdhouses, including Purple Martin houses. House Sparrows are aggressive and may evict other species to take over their nest sites.
© Matthew D. Medler / Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 06, 2014Not all videos have sound
Breeding male
Feeds mostly on grains and seeds using thick bill. Readily eats millet, milo, sunflower, and other seeds at birdfeeders.
© Yeray Seminario / Macaulay LibraryAndalucía, April 13, 2020Breeding male
Nest in holes of buildings and other structures such as streetlights, gas-station roofs, signs, and the overhanging fixtures that hold traffic lights. Also nests in nest boxes and competes with other species for them.
© Lorraine Lanning / Macaulay LibraryColorado, May 15, 2017Habitat
Associated with human development. Found in cities, parks, zoos, suburban areas, and around farm buildings.
© Natalie Sandoval / Macaulay LibraryArizona, April 12, 2017Similar SpeciesEurasian Tree Sparrow
Adult
Eurasian Tree Sparrows, which live around St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States have an entirely rufous crown and a dark spot on the cheek unlike the grayish-cheeked House Sparrow.
© Michael Todd / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, June 02, 2016Similar SpeciesDickcissel
Female
The female Dickcissel has a longer, heavier bill than a female House Sparrow. It also has a yellow eyebrow that the House Sparrow does not have.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, November 02, 2015Similar SpeciesBlack-throated Sparrow
Adult
Black-throated Sparrows have a white eyebrow and mustache stripe not seen on House Sparrows.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 19, 2013Similar SpeciesHarris's Sparrow
Nonbreeding adult
Harris's Sparrows have a plain brown face, without the male House Sparrow's white cheeks and chestnut neck.
© Ian Davies / Macaulay LibraryIowa, October 12, 2016Similar SpeciesWhite-crowned Sparrow
Immature
Juvenile White-crowned Sparrows have reddish-brown crowns and thin white wingbars, whereas female House Sparrows have a pale brown crown without distinct wingbars.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, November 05, 2011Similar SpeciesHouse Finch
Female/immature
Female House Finches have heavily streaked underparts and lack the female House Sparrow's broad buffy eyebrow stripe.
© Dave Spier / Macaulay LibraryNew York, January 15, 2008Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
Compare with Similar Species
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Species in This Family
Old World Sparrows(Order: Passeriformes, Family: Passeridae)
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