Identify Your Pest Birds House sparrow
House sparrow
Passer domesticus · Also called: English sparrow
The house sparrow is a small, chirpy brown and grey bird that lives close to people in towns and cities across Alberta. It is noticed when it stuffs nests into vents, signs, eaves and light fixtures, or when droppings and noise build up near doors and patios.
Size About 14 to 17 cm long
Colour Brown and grey; males show a black bib and chestnut nape
Key feature Thick, cone-shaped bill; males have a grey crown and black throat patch
Season Year round; nesting from early spring through late summer
Where Dryer and bathroom vents, eaves, signs, light fixtures and dense shrubs
What it looks like
The house sparrow is a stocky little bird with a big-looking head and a stubby, seed-cracking bill. The male is easiest: a black throat patch that grows bigger and darker into spring, pale cheeks, a grey cap and warm chestnut wrapping around the back of the head.
Females and young birds are harder. They are streaky on the back and wings, with a pale line trailing back from the eye, but the breast is clean and unmarked. That plain breast is the quickest way to rule out a finch. House sparrows are noisy and social. They hop in small groups under feeders, on patios and in parking lots, and give a steady cheep from roofs and hedges.
Often confused with
House finch
Native sparrows
Signs to look for
Grass sticking out of vents
Constant chirping
Droppings below a gap
Birds flying in and out
Weak dryer airflow
Risks and damage
House sparrows are mostly a nuisance, but their nests can cause real problems. Bulky nests of grass, feathers and litter can block dryer, bathroom and kitchen vents. A blocked vent can trap moisture, and a blocked dryer vent can become a fire risk. Droppings build up under nests and perches near doors and patios. Old nests can hold bird mites that may wander indoors after the young leave. These mites can bite but cannot live long on people.
In Alberta
House sparrows are a non-native bird that lives year round in cities, towns and farmyards across Alberta, including Edmonton and Calgary. They do not migrate. They get through winter by staying close to buildings, bird feeders and livestock areas, and they start nesting early in spring.
Despite its name, the house sparrow is not closely related to Alberta’s native sparrows. It belongs to the Old World sparrow family and was brought to North America from Europe in the 1850s.
How to keep them out
Cover vents with guards
Seal gaps in eaves
Manage bird feeders
Remove nest starts early
When it is time to bring in a professional
Call a professional when sparrows are nesting inside a dryer or exhaust vent, high on a wall, inside a sign or in several spots at once. Clearing vents and fitting guards takes care so airflow stays safe. Technica’s licensed technicians can remove nests and install exclusion that helps keep birds out without harm.
Frequently asked questions
Why is a bird nest in my dryer vent a concern?
A nest can block airflow, so hot, damp air and lint cannot escape. The dryer works harder, moisture can collect in the wall and the risk of a lint fire goes up. If you see nest material in the vent, it is safest to hold off using the dryer until the vent is cleared.
Are there bugs in sparrow nests?
Old nests can hold bird mites, and sometimes carpet beetles that feed on feathers. After the young birds leave, mites may crawl indoors looking for a new host. They can bite, but they cannot live long on people. Removing the old nest usually solves the problem.
Do house sparrows leave Alberta in winter?
No. House sparrows stay in Alberta all year. In winter they roost in sheltered spots on buildings, in dense shrubs and near feeders. That is why a vent or eave they used in summer may still be busy in January.