Species-Specific Management (SSM)

English or House Sparrow

The house sparrow, Passer domesticus, is an introduced species, not native to North America. It is considered a nuisance, therefore it is not protected by any federal law. However, a few states have restrictions which protect the house sparrow. So it is important to check with local government regulations before taking any action to reduce it.

With its origin in Europe, the house sparrow has spread over the continental United States. It can exist in any habitat except thick forest, mountain, or desert. It prefers human-made environments like farms and urban areas. Sources of grain and human garbage provide food that attracts the birds.

English or house sparrows can be identified by their brown, round appearance. They are approximately 5 3/4 inches (15 cm) long. The male has a black bib, white cheeks, a chestnut mantle around the gray crown, and chestnut upper wing coverts. The female and younger birds lack markings, except for a distinctive buffy eye stripe and a streaked back. They can be difficult to distinguish from native species of sparrows.

There are several ways to control the sparrows and prevent sparrow problems. One is habitat modification. Roosting and nesting sites can be reduced by blocking entrances larger than 3/4 inches (2 cm). Buildings can be designed or altered to eliminate resting places. (In some areas, building codes and architectural-committees review plans to reduce nesting sites.) Food sources can be reduced by cleaning up edible human refuse, protecting small crops with bird netting, and practicing clean livestock feeding techniques. (Feed also needs to be covered to protect it from bird droppings.) Bird-resistant varieties of plants can be planted.

More direct methods of control include shooting, trapping, poisoning, and repelling. The birds can be shot with air guns and small arms containing BBs and dust shot. Trap types include funnel, automatic, triggered and mist nets. The standard poison used is Avitrol (trademark for 4-Aminopyridine). It is most effective in winter, when food is scarce and bait is readily accepted. Grain is typically used. However, it is important to be aware of any local poison control laws before proceeding. The birds can be repelled with noise such as fireworks or alarms. Naphthalene is an olfactory repellent. Bird glues and Nixalite (trademark for "porcupine wire") annoy the sparrows. They can also be scared away with scarecrows and motorized hawks. Destroying nests can be another method of reducing the population of house sparrows. Pairs can nest up to 4 times during the summer. They normally raise 4-5 young each time, sometimes as many as 10 in a nest.

A contribution by John Glacking, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0321

This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.