Species-Specific Management (SSM)

Sparrows

Sparrows are an important part of the wildlife community. Found nearly everywhere, sparrows are adapted to most habitats. Aesthetically pleasing, their songs are heard by everyone as they walk through the woods or a city park. Sparrows benefit the agricultural community by eating insects that would otherwise injure the crops. Unfortunately, large populations of sparrows can become pests. Sparrows may be managed as prey for other wildlife of interest. The resource manager then has numerous options for managing sparrows, whether it be to increase, attract, or control them. Herein, emphasis is given to increasing those typically found within the forest edge. Sparrows present a clear example of the meaninglessness of the phrase "good for wildlife" when projects are evaluated. A timber stand removal may be good for a rich sparrow population for a few years, have no effect on one species and be very beneficial to another (allowing it to become more abundant), and bad for a pileated woodpecker population for many years.

To attract sparrows, a person can use any or all of the following options:

1. Manage for younger stands of trees and plant communities (0-5 years). The majority of sparrows prefers open areas, grassy fields, shrubbery, and small trees.
2. Use prescribed burning or clearcutting to open new areas and maintain young stands.
3. Do not clear a large area. It is best to make small wildlife clearings (1/2 acre) but in sequence, nearby, for they "close in" and a constant supply of resources is needed for the birds. Sparrows prefer edges offering them cover and nesting material.
4. Manage for contrasting edges. A wildlife clearing bordering a younger stand will provide excellent foraging and nesting cover, nesting materials, and food.
5. Improve the condition of existing areas by removing vegetation. Herbicides can be used to eliminate unwanted plants. Thinning can also be used to free the area around favored vegetation.
6. Sparrows prefer grasses, conifers, and shrubbery. Specific species for feeding include:

   bristlegrass, smartweed, honeysuckle, huckleberry, oats, blackberry, poison ivy, dogwood, holly, ragweed, elderberry

7. Tree species preferred by sparrows include aspens, birches, jack pine, and spruce.
8. Growth and spread of the shrubs can be facilitated by opening them to sunlight, fertilizing, and transplanting them to new locations.
9. Plant hedgerows of preferred shrub species. This will increase the amount of food, cover, and edge area.
10. Attract sparrows by planting annual food patches or putting out food. The food patches should be 1/4 acre (about 55 feet by 200 feet). The patches should be located in accessible flat areas with good soil and open to sunlight.
11. Protect and improve the area around streams and springs. Water-related habitat is vital to the survival of sparrows. Some species must live within 25 yards of a water source. Also, small shrubs along a stream or spring host a rich supply of insects and provide nesting cover.
12. Build small ponds or watering holes for the sparrows.
13. Do not drain the area.
14. Prevent the extensive use of insecticides.
15. Reduce the number of cats, Norway rats, free-ranging dogs, and other predators whenever possible.
16. Provide roosting sites.
17. Set up nest boxes in the area in which you want sparrows. Nest boxes 6 x 6 x 6 inches and 1-3 feet off the ground are most effective.

With the exception of providing more or less food at migration sites, you will have to do little to care for sparrows. Sparrows may or may not migrate, depending on the species and the individual. If they do, it is typically a short migration. As long as there is food and nesting sites, sparrows can adapt to any habitat area. Typically, they prefer areas disturbed by people, such as agricultural lands and urban parks.

Sparrows are a very diverse group so individual species may require special techniques and strategies.

Contribution by Bonnie Brewer (1992)
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060

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