4/6/2023 1 Comment House sparrow nest![]() ![]() ![]() House Sparrows are primarily seed-eaters, although they eat some insects during the summer. They are not migratory, but flocks of birds move about within a 1.5-2mi. The young sparrows fledge after 14-16 days. The female lays three to five white/brown speckled eggs and incubates for 11-14 days. The male constructs a bulky, dome-shaped nest of coarse grasses, weeds, hair, and feathers. They will also occasionally nest in coniferous trees and in the nests of Cliff Swallows and Northern Orioles. Although they usually prefer to nest in a cavity, House Sparrows will settle for any nook or cranny they can find. The male House Sparrow’s bond with his nest site is stronger than his bond with a mate he may lose a mate, but he won’t give up his nest site. The breeding season for House Sparrows begins early in the spring or even in midwinter, and each pair may produce up to four broods a season. They were also taking over the nesting sites of native cavity-nesting birds. Within 25 years, however, they realized the seriousness of their mistake: the House Sparrow population had increased at an explosive and alarming rate, and the birds were causing extensive damage to crops and fruit trees. At first, the new immigrants welcomed this little bird of their homeland. House Sparrows were introduced into North America from England in the 1850s on the mistaken premise that they would help reduce crop insect pests. House Sparrows are not actually sparrows, but are Old World Weaver Finches, a family of birds noted for their ingenious nest-building abilities. House Sparrows are the most abundant songbirds in North America and the most widely distributed birds on the planet. It is better to have no nest box than to have one which fledges sparrows. Given the widespread problems caused by House Sparrows, NABS advises that it is the responsibility of every nest box trail operator to ensure that no House Sparrows fledge from their boxes. ![]() Bluebirds Across Nebraska is providing this information on House Sparrow control to let you know that there are options available when dealing with sparrow problems. ![]()
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