house sparrow

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Related to house sparrow: house wren

house sparrow

A small bird (Passer domesticus) native to the Old World but widely naturalized elsewhere, having brown and gray plumage with a black throat in the adult male. Also called English sparrow.

house sparrow

(Animals) a small Eurasian weaverbird, Passer domesticus, now established in North America and Australia. It has a brown streaked plumage with grey underparts. Also called (US): English sparrow

house′ spar`row

a hardy brown and gray songbird, Passer domesticus, native to Eurasia: now common in much of the world near human habitation.

Also called English sparrow.

[1665–75]

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Noun

house sparrow - small hardy brown-and-grey bird native to Europe

English sparrow, Passer domesticus

sparrow, true sparrow - any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects

genus Passer, Passer - type genus of the Passeridae

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References in periodicals archive ?

Although some abundant species such as House Sparrow and Rock Dove were well represented in our survey, others were not, such as several icterid species (blackbirds), European Starling, American Robin, and American Crow.

Serologic Evidence for West Nile Virus Infectionin Birds in the New York City Vicinity During an Outbreak in 1999

The oldest wild house sparrow was recorded in Denmark and made it to 19 years and nine months.

Noisy quarrel of sparrows is a joy of nature

Tyne and Wear: House sparrow; starling; blackbird; blue tit; woodpigeon; magpie; goldfinch; great tit; robin; feral pigeon.

Birdwatch shows how the smaller species were helped by mild winter

Of course, House Sparrows aren't red, but the pigment has changed their brown feathers to sandy-coloured.

bird NOTES

House sparrow numbers dropped by 19% in Tyne Wear gardens and starlings by 20% compared to last year.

Adaptable pigeon mounts takeover; Region keeps an eye on bird population

Starlings and house sparrows are the worst hit, with the numbers of both species in freefall in the region.

Believe it or not ... starlings are going missing; Species placed on RSPB list of concern

The dunnock is the same size as a house sparrow but has a thin pointed bill and a grey head and breast, plus the streaked back which could confuse it with a sparrow.

GO WILDwith eric paylor

The House Sparrow topped the chart in Wales, with Starlings the second-most frequently recorded bird, swapping places with Blue Tits, now ranked third.

/ A male House Sparrow [...]

There were 4.4 house sparrows on average across 68.9 per cent of Stirling district gardens.

Sparrow keeps its place in top branch

HOUSE sparrows are staging a revival after suffering major declines in numbers, the RSPB said.

Sparrows on the rise after major slump

HOUSE sparrows appear to be staging something of a comeback after suffering major declines, the Big Garden Birdwatch suggests.

'House sparrows staging comeback' UK BULLETINS

The Tyne and Wear top 10 was: starling; house sparrow; blackbird; woodpigeon; blue tit; goldfinch; magpie; feral pigeon; great tit and robin.