House sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Size:

• Body length: 14 to 16 cm
• Wingspan: 21 to 25 cm
• Weight: 24 to 38 g

Look:

• Males: grey head, black throat patch, brown flanks and neck, black and brown striped back
• Females: more simply colored, without a throat patch, with a light brown breast and a distinct light eye stripe.
• Both sexes with short, strong beaks

Way of life:

• Diurnal
• Lives year-round in Central Europe
• Very sociable, forms small to medium-sized groups
• Often observed at feeding stations, on roofs, in hedges or facade niches

Reproduction:

• Breeding season: March to August
• Multiple broods per year are possible
• Each clutch: 4 to 6 eggs, incubation period approximately 14 days.
• Young birds fledge after approximately 16 days.

Nest locations:

• Cavities in buildings, roof overhangs, ventilation openings
• Roller shutter boxes, facade gaps, under roof tiles
• Nesting boxes or artificial nesting aids
• It also breeds in flocks side by side.

Nutrition:

• Primarily seed eaters
• Food: Seeds, grains, buds, insects (especially for raising young)
• In cities: frequent ingestion of leftover food, bread, waste

Behave:

• Highly adaptable
• Partly remaining in the same location for many years
• Aggressive towards other members of the species when defending their territory
• Droppings are usually located directly near the nest.
• Distinctive vocalizations (chirping, chittering)

Building damage:

• Accumulations of nesting material can clog ventilation openings and gutters.
• Contamination by feces on facades, window sills, roof overhangs
• Pigeon droppings-like deposits on solar panels or terraces

Noise & nuisance:

• Loud and persistent chirping, especially early in the morning and when defending territory
• In group nests: constant noise level during the breeding season

Disease transmission:

• Feces can contain fungi and bacteria (e.g., salmonella).
• Nesting sites attract parasites such as bird fleas, mites, or ticks.

Building and nest protection:

• Secure facade openings, ventilation pipes and roof overhangs with wire mesh or perforated metal sheets.
• Regularly check and clean roller shutter boxes
• Pigeon nets or fine barriers are also effective against sparrows.

Hygiene:

• No feeding , not even indirectly via waste.
• Dispose of waste in sealed containers.
• Professional removal of nesting materials and droppings (outside of the breeding season).

Behave:

• Check breeding sites regularly.
• Have nest removal carried out well before the rearing phase.
• In case of heavy soiling: disinfection by a specialist company