This gregarious,  garrulous and quarrelsome bird was introduced into New Zealand between 1866 – 71 and is now common throughout the mainland and off shore islands in farmland, orchards, gardens, parks and the edges of native forest.

The male has chestnut brown upperparts, streaked black, a dark grey crown, greyish brown rump and greyish white underparts.  The black bib gets larger in the breeding season and the conical greyish  pink bill turns black.  The female has dull sandy brown , streaked darker upperparts and greyish white underparts, with a pale buffy eyebrow and sides to neck.  The call is an unmusical chatter of chirps and cheeps.

House Sparrows feed in flocks, eating mainly cereal, grass and weed seeds, and invertebrates, fruit and nectar.  They cause serious damage to cereal crops.

Breeding is between September and February and 3 – 4 broods a year are raised.  The male builds a bulky, untidy domed nest with a side entrance composed of grasses and lined with feathers in trees, buildings or cliffs.  The clutch of 3 – 6 greyish white, brown spotted eggs is incubated by both sexes for 10 – 15 days.  The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge at 11 – 19 days.

Photography by:  Max McRae ©

References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.
Moon, G The Reed Field Guide to New Zealand Birds.