House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
Length 14-15cm
Widespread in Britain and Ireland. Because of affinity for human habitation and farmyards, however, only locally common, being absent from large tracts of land. Male has grey crown, cheeks and rump, chestnut-brown nape, back and wings, pale underparts and black throat. Female rather nondescript with streaked buff and grey-brown plumage. Small groups of birds often encountered sitting on roofs, uttering familiar sparrow chirps. Frequently dust-bathes. Usually nests in roof spaces or holes in walls but occasionally builds large and untidy nest in bush. Where fed in urban parks, can become remarkably tame, taking food from hand