Shyer and smarter in appearance than the House Sparrow, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow is a classic bird of rural landscapes.
More than "just a sparrow": learn to spot the difference!
Often overlooked or mistaken for the ubiquitous House Sparrow, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) is a distinct species with its own quiet charm. Smaller, neater, and with a more richly-coloured plumage, this is the sparrow of farmland, orchards, and village edges. Its presence is often a sign of a healthier, more traditional countryside. Learning to distinguish it from its urban cousin is to see our familiar birds with new eyes and discover an often-missed part of our natural world.
Our Ornithologist's Tip
By the Les-Oiseaux.com team, published on June 12, 2025.
My personal tip: The foolproof feature for identifying a Tree Sparrow is the bold, black spot on its clean white cheek. No other European sparrow has this. Also, look for the full, rich chestnut-brown cap that covers the entire top of its head, unlike the grey cap of the male House Sparrow. Check feeders in rural gardens or large parks; they often mix with other finches and sparrows.
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Identifying the Tree Sparrow: Key Features
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is slightly smaller and more slender than the House Sparrow. Critically, both the male and female look identical.
The Head: This is the most distinctive part. The crown (top of the head) is a solid, warm chocolate-brown.
The Cheeks: The cheeks are pure white, marked with a prominent, round black spot in the centre.
Plumage: The back is a warm brown, streaked with black. The underparts are a pale greyish-buff. It has a double white wing-bar.
The Bib: It has a small, neat black bib under its beak, which is much less extensive than that of a male House Sparrow.
Unlike the House Sparrow, there is no sexual dimorphism: males, females, and even juveniles (after a few weeks) share the same plumage.
Call: A Metallic "Chip"
The call of the Tree Sparrow is quite different from that of the House Sparrow. It is harder, higher-pitched, and more metallic. Its most common call is a sharp, energetic "chip" or "tek," often repeated. When in a flock, their calls create a light, cheerful chatter that is less harsh than that of House Sparrows.
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Behavior: The Shy Country Dweller
The Tree Sparrow is shyer and less associated with humans than the House Sparrow. It is a social bird, especially outside the breeding season when it can form large flocks in open farmland. It feeds mainly on the seeds of wild plants and grasses, but in summer it becomes a key predator of insects (aphids, caterpillars) to feed its young, playing an important ecological role.
It is a strict cavity nester, a trait it shares with other garden birds like the Great Tit. Pairs, which are faithful for life, build their untidy nest in a tree hole, a crack in a wall, or an artificial nest box. The female lays 4 to 6 eggs, and the pair can raise two or three broods a year.
Habitat and Distribution
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is a bird of open, mixed landscapes. It is typically found in farmland with hedgerows, copses, and old trees, as well as in orchards, large parks, woodland edges, and villages, often sharing this habitat with species like the Song Thrush. It generally avoids the dense centres of large cities, leaving that niche to the House Sparrow.
Its natural range is immense, covering almost all of temperate Europe and Asia (the Palearctic region). It has also been successfully introduced by humans to other parts of the world, including Australia and North America (around the St. Louis, Missouri area).
Distribution Map
Conservation Status
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is listed as "Least Concern" (LC) on the IUCN Global Red List because its total population is extremely large. However, this global status masks an alarming reality: the species has undergone a dramatic decline across much of Western Europe. In the UK, for example, the population has plummeted by over 90% since the 1970s, placing it on the UK's Red List of highest conservation concern.
This decline is primarily linked to agricultural intensification: the loss of hedgerows, the use of pesticides reducing the insect food available for their chicks, and the scarcity of natural nesting sites. Providing nest boxes is an effective way to help them locally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Tree Sparrow
How do you tell a Tree Sparrow from a House Sparrow?
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow has a full chestnut-brown crown (top of head), a distinct black spot on its clean white cheek, and a small white neck collar. The male House Sparrow has a grey crown and no cheek spot. Also, male and female Tree Sparrows look identical, unlike House Sparrows.
Is the Tree Sparrow endangered?
While classified as 'Least Concern' globally due to its vast range, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow has suffered severe population declines in many parts of Western Europe, including the UK, where it is on the Red List of conservation concern. Agricultural intensification is the primary cause.
Where do Tree Sparrows nest?
It is a cavity-nesting bird. It nests in natural holes in old trees, earth banks, or under the eaves of buildings. It also readily uses nest boxes, making it a species that is easy to support in gardens.
What does the Tree Sparrow eat?
Its diet consists mainly of seeds from wild plants and cereals. During the breeding season, it becomes largely insectivorous to feed its young, making it beneficial for controlling insect populations.
