Nature Photographers Ltd

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus - male. L 14-15cm. Familiar because of affinity for human habitation. Often dust-bathes and sits on roofs, utterly familiar sparrow chirps. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey crown, cheeks and rump. Nape, sides of crown, back and wings are chestnut-brown, underparts are pale grey, and throat and breast are black. Bill is dark and legs are reddish. Adult female is mainly brown above with buff streaks on back; underparts are pale grey and note pale buff supercilium behind eye. Juvenile is similar to adult female but duller. Voice Utters range of chirping calls. Status Fairly common but declining resident, usually found in vicinity of houses and farms.