| Resident in the city throughout the year. Male and female are distinguished by different plumage. The female has a general brownish appearance with black streaks along its back. In contrast, the male sports a characteristic black bib, a brown nape and a dark brown back with black streaks. The beak is short and stout.
House sparrows are intimately associated with humans, to the extent that wild populations are always in the company of their human "partner". They nest -an untidy pile of feathers and plant material- in holes in buildings and under overlapping roof tiles. In summer they feed primarily on insects, while in winter they take more seeds and the remains of food in streets (bread and biscuit crumbs, etc).
The populations of sparrows in the city seem to have gradually fallen due to the lack of holes in which to nest and the reduction in roof tiles with the spread of roof terraces.
|
