The
sparrows are a family of small passerine birds, Passeridae. They are
also known as true sparrows, or Old World sparrows, names also used for a
genus of the family Passer.
The house sparrow is one of the most widely distributed sparrow species in the world.
Keith
Sparrows are some of the most familiar
and most common birds in the world, but what makes sparrows unique?
Knowing what makes a sparrow a sparrow can help birders identify these
birds more easily and better appreciate their place in the world's avifauna.
Types of Sparrows
The term "sparrow" covers a wide range of relatively small, mostly drab brown birds, which birders often call "LBJs" or "little brown jobs"
because they can be notoriously difficult to identify. While many of
them include the word "sparrow" in their common names, other types of
sparrows include buntings, towhees and juncos, and in fact, there are
dozens of different sparrow species throughout the world – more than 50
in North America alone. Understanding how these small birds are related
and what similarities they share is helpful for understanding their
uniqueness in the avian world.
Sparrows can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and they are generally divided into two principle families.
Old World Sparrows: These sparrows are actually types of weaver finches in the family Passeridae, and they are widespread in Europe, Asia and Africa. One of the most common sparrows – the house sparrow – is an Old World sparrow and has been introduced widely around the world, so much so that in many places it is considered an invasive species.
New World Sparrows: These sparrows are common in North and South America and belong to the family Emberizidae. There are dozens of sparrow species in this family, all with subtle differences in appearance, habitat and range.
In both of these bird families, sparrows have evolved a wide
range of species to fill different ecological niches. Sparrows can be
found in nearly every habitat, from deserts and arid grasslands to
marshes, forests and even urban areas. Because of this diversity,
understanding sparrows is essential for serious birders.
Sparrow Physiology
Like all types of birds, sparrows have certain physical
characteristics that help define them as a group. They are all passerine
birds – songbirds – and share traits such as:
Size: The majority of sparrow species are relatively
small, with sizes ranging from 4-8 inches in length, though 5-7 inches
is the most common range.
Plumage: These birds are called LBJs for a reason, and most sparrows have brown mottled plumage
that serves as superior camouflage. They often have several distinct
markings on the head, however, including stripes or bold colors that
stand out from their bland bodies.
Bill: A sparrow's bill is relatively short and thick
with a conical shape. This is perfect for cracking the seeds that are
these birds' primary food source.
Sparrow Behavior
Because sparrows all share relatively bland plumage and physical
characteristics, it is their behavior that is often more distinctive
than their appearances. Behavioral traits common to sparrows include:
Flocking: Like most songbirds, sparrows are solitary
or found only in pairs or family groups in the spring and summer, but in
autumn and winter they will form mixed flocks of different sparrow
species. Birders can take advantage of this behavior by scanning
complete flocks in the field to see if there are any unusual species
joining more familiar birds.
Foraging: While foraging, sparrows feed primarily on the ground or low in trees or shrubby cover. They will often glean through leaf litter for seeds and insects, and many sparrow species will hop to scratch with both feet while feeding.
Diet: Sparrows are principally seed eaters, though
they also consume a fair amount of insects, particularly during the
spring and summer when the protein from insects is essential for growing
hatchlings. In the backyard, sparrows are fairly undiscriminating and will eat black oil sunflower seeds, millet, cracked corn, milo, bread scraps and a range of other foods.
Flight Pattern: Sparrows are fast, agile fliers that
use a series of rapid wing beats followed by a brief glide with folded
wings to create an undulating flight pattern. As flocking birds, they
may be easily startled and may fly between a food source and shelter
frequently while feeding.
