Eurasian Tree Sparrow

The Eurasian tree sparrow is a sparrow 12.5–14cm long with a wingspan of about 21cm and a weight of about 24g, roughly 10% smaller than the house sparrow. It has a rich chestnut crown and nape, a kidney-shaped black patch on each pure white cheek, and a black chin and throat. The upperparts are light brown streaked black and the wings show two narrow white bars. Unusually among sparrows, males and females look alike, and young birds are duller versions of the adults. Its appearance varies little across its huge range (Wikipedia, general species account).

It breeds across much of temperate Eurasia and South-east Asia and is widespread in the towns and cities of eastern Asia. It builds an untidy nest in a natural cavity or a hole in a building, and the typical clutch of five or six eggs hatches in under two weeks. It feeds mainly on seeds but also takes invertebrates, especially in the breeding season. It has been introduced elsewhere, including the United States. In India it is resident with a moderate range; SoIB 2023 finds its trends uncertain and rates it a Low conservation priority (Wikipedia, general species account; SoIB 2023).