Weekend Birding: Juvenile House Sparrow
The House Sparrow can be found anywhere there are people. In fact, they prefer to nest among us humans rather than in the forests and woodlands. They are one of the most common birds.
This little guy along with three siblings had recently left the nest. They were fluttering around the yard barely able to fly. In this photo you can see the downy feathers and orange baby beak. In young birds the beak is still soft and flexible allowing the mouth to open wide to receive food. It will eventually harden and the color will darken.
The parents were still feeding these little guys. In this photo you can barely see the mom giving a seed to one of the youngsters who was hiding in the clematis.
House Sparrows aren’t related to other North American sparrows. They are chunkier, fuller in the chest, with a larger, rounded head, shorter tail, and stouter bill. They are native to Britain and were introduced into Brooklyn, New York, in 1851. By 1900 they had spread to the Rocky Mountains.
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If you enjoy birds check out my previous Weekend Birding posts.
I link up my bird photos on Saturday Snapshot hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
Under My Apple Tree 
We have a similar bird (possibly the same?) in eastern Australia. I call them ‘hoppy birds’. Funnily enough, they don’t come out west.
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My range map shows House Sparrows on half the planet. They are in eastern but not western Australia so it may be the same bird.
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Though this is not terribly colorful bird, I think it is still very attractive. Love the tidbits of info. We’re really getting bird lessons each Saturday and i love them!
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Some people refer to them as LBJs …. little brown jobs!
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House sparrows are so friendly. I love their chirping!
Great photos!
http://readbookswritepoetry.blogspot.com/2011/06/saturday-snapshot-june-25.html
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That’s what I like about them… they are happy little birds.
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Wow, I really like that second one, with the greenery shielding him. Gorgeous mix of nature’s elements.
Here’s MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT
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I got lucky with that shot. She fed him quickly and then flew off.
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Love the photo in the clematis. I feel like I’m spying on a private moment.
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So cute…this is one bird that even I can recognize, lol.
I wonder how they came to Brooklyn?
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They are also called English Sparrows and I believe the settlers brought them with when they came to America.
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Thank you for a wonderful giveaway!
My mother has been sick and I never got around to signing up to participate in the Literary Giveaway Blog Hop. But I’ve started a monthly giveaway on my blog and I’ve got a June Giveaway going on this month at my blog, and I’d love to invite you to stop by and throw your name in the hat for Anna and the French Kiss! It’s a US giveaway only this month, but next month, I’ll be offering an international giveaway for a $25 Amazon card!
If you follow me, let me know. I always follow back!
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He’s a beauty! nice capture.
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love the explanations along with the great photos you are doing such good work!
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Hi!
Great snapshots! We have those birds here. Have a great day!
Sherrie
Just Books
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Amazing shot! Such a beautiful bird 🙂
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Lovely photos, as usual. Since I started visiting your blog, I’ve noticed more birds in my own area.
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Beautiful! I have to keep an eye out for the young ones around our home…our 2 older cats are always close by 😦
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More wonderful bird shots! I look forward to your Saturday Snapshots every week!
Here’s my Snapshot: http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2011/06/saturday-snapshot-june-25.html
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I’ve always admired sparrows, and even though they’re introduced species most everywhere, I think they’re sadly underappreciated. Thanks for this sneak peak into their life
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Some people do not like House Sparrows. In fact, they despise them because they compete with native birds for nesting areas. I like all birds but I do discourage the sparrows from nesting in my boxes because they are extremely aggressive. I just cut the entry holes to the box smaller and then they nest elsewhere leaving the box for wrens and chickadees.
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Great captures. We have a nest of robins in our clematis vines. I want to take a photo, but I’m worried about scaring the new parents. Glad you were able to get such a great shot!
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You won’t scare them if you take a quick picture and don’t stay by the nest. When robins get upset they give a series of fast, high pitched, cheep cheep cheeps so you’ll know.
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I hadn’t heard of the house sparrow before, but I guess that makes sense since I live west of the Rockies. 🙂 Very nice photos!
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Your house sparrows seem to be very similar to ours.
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They are the same birds. Our house sparrows are actually English Sparrows and these are descendants of the birds brought to America by the early settlers.
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