Sparrow Facts & Information

Sparrows are highly opportunistic. House sparrows are surprisingly aggressive, ousting native species. from their nests. They have also been known to destroy the eggs of competing species, while threatening or even attacking the adults. The house sparrow lacked a natural predator when it arrived in North America, and several characteristics contributed to its population explosion in this country. House sparrows typically live in or near human communities or sites where humans cultivate, a pattern that benefits these birds enormously by providing additional sources of food and sites for nesting.

Generalists in terms of their diet, house sparrows are able to thrive on a range of foods, including grains, seeds (both wild and those provided at feeders), scraps from humans, insects, and spiders (while rearing young) and, less frequently, fruit, berries, and vegetables. Human structures also provide cavities and niches that are preferred nesting sites for this species. House sparrows are both hardy and aggressive. They begin nesting in late winter or early spring, often before migrants have returned, which results in migrant birds having fewer choices for nesting sites. House sparrows typically raise two clutches of three or more chicks (most often four to five) each breeding season.

The house sparrow, also known as the weaver finch or English sparrow, typically live near humans because it provides them with some security from natural predators. They commonly scavenge food around open air eating establishments, parking lots, and on roads, but also eat seeds and seedlings, buds, flowers, vegetables, and maturing fruits. If you have any of those things around your home or business, you can be sure that sparrows will be around. Obviously bird baths and bird feeders will also attract them and many other birds. If you have those things, though, we assume you are looking to attract birds – not mitigate them.

House sparrows can cause considerable damage to soffits, facia boards, and even utilities and air conditioning units. They are aggressive toward other birds as well. If you have sparrows in a bird bath, you’ll notice them pushing the other birds out. House sparrow droppings are not only unsightly, but their waste is associated with over 29 diseases. The World Health Organization reports that birds are the principal hosts for viruses associated with eastern and western equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile virus, and even some influenza viruses. When the temperatures drop, frozen droppings can be a slip and fall hazard as well. We can help with bird control around your home or business with our bird treatments.

Preventing house sparrows is better left to the professionals. There are many exclusion techniques that can be used that are humane and will only encourage the birds to move alone – not hurt them. You can discourage house sparrows by promptly removing food scraps and open trash as well as having a professional exclusion expert close up openings around buildings as small as ¼”. Also, be sure to keep your trash can lids tightly secured. That will not only help with birds, but will help with rats, mice, flies, cockroaches, and a few others that are attracted to the natural odors trash can emit.

We’re passionate about controlling birds around your home or business because we live and work here – it’s our neighborhood, too. With our years of experience keeping homes and businesses in Louisville, Shelbyville, Frankfort, Lexington, Southern Indiana, and surrounding areas safe from pests, OPC has the experience you can trust.