House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Year-round in CharlotteCommon

The take

The parking-lot and patio sparrow, chirping from behind every strip-mall sign.

How to ID it

  • Males have a gray crown, white cheeks, black bib, and rufous neck; females are plain buffy-brown with a striped back
  • Chunkier and fuller-chested than native sparrows, with a rounded head and stout bill
  • Noisy flocks flutter from eaves to hop and peck at crumbs, nesting in holes behind signs and lights

Field marks at a glance

Size
small
Head
gray crown with white cheeks (male)
Call
monotone social cheep

Where & when

Year-round in Charlotte

Learn more

Sources