Birds Active during the day

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Passer montanus

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

A dapper little visitor with a signature black cheek patch and a rich chestnut crown. The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is a social, high-energy bird that brings life to any backyard feeder or garden hedge.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 12.5–14 cm (5–5.5 in); Wingspan: 20–22 cm (8–8.7 in); Weight: 18–28 g (0.6–1.0 oz)

palette

Colors

Rich chestnut-brown crown and nape, pure white cheeks with a distinct black patch, small black throat bib, and streaked brown back. Both males and females look identical.

visibility

Key Features

Distinctive black patch on pure white cheeks
Solid chestnut-brown crown and nape without grey
Small black bib and white collar around the neck
Dainty, smaller build compared to the House Sparrow

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern Active during the day

brightness_5

Peak hours 7-11 AM, 3-6 PM

calendar_month

Season Year-round

restaurant

Diet Primarily granivorous, eating seeds and grains. They switch to insects, such as beetles, caterpillars, and spiders, during the breeding season to provide protein for their chicks.

park

Habitat Suburban gardens, farmland, forest edges, orchards, and parks with mature trees.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Eurasian Tree Sparrow Live?

The Eurasian Tree Sparrow claims an enormous native range spanning the entire temperate Eurasian continent, from the British Isles across Russia to Japan, and extending south into Southeast Asia. While they are widespread across Europe and Asia, they have also established a unique, localized foothold in North America, specifically around the St. Louis, Missouri region where they were introduced in the late 1870s. These adaptable birds are also common across various island chains in the Pacific, showcasing their ability to thrive in diverse climates from the Siberian steppe to tropical Indonesia.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

11 Countries

98M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

CN China JP Japan Russia GB United Kingdom FR France DE Germany US United States AU Australia ID Indonesia TH Thailand Vietnam

eco

iNaturalist / Verified observation data

View on iNaturalist open_in_new

Explore more Birds arrow_forward

Behavior

The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is a highly social bird that thrives in colonies. Unlike their bolder cousins, the House Sparrows, they are slightly more cautious and prefer the transition zones between woodlands and open fields. They are frequently seen foraging on the ground in small groups, communicating with a series of high-pitched 'chi-chip' calls that are slightly more musical than other sparrow species.

During the breeding season, they are cavity nesters, often taking over old woodpecker holes or competing for nest boxes. While they are common in backyard settings, they generally avoid the dense concrete centers of large European cities, preferring suburban gardens where there is more shrubbery and vegetation. In Southeast Asia, however, they are the primary urban sparrow found in high-density areas, showing remarkable adaptability to human infrastructure.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of Eurasian Tree Sparrows, place your camera near a feeding station or a known dust-bathing spot. They are low-level foragers, so mounting your camera on a stake or tripod about 1 to 2 feet (30-60 cm) off the ground, angled slightly upward, will provide a more intimate, eye-level perspective of their social interactions. Ensure the camera is positioned between 3 and 5 feet from the subject to maintain focus, as these are small birds that require a close-up for the black cheek patch to be clearly visible.

Offering a mix of high-quality seeds, particularly millet, sunflower hearts, or cracked corn, will reliably draw them into the frame. During the winter, suet feeders can also be a magnet for these birds. Because they travel in flocks, you are likely to get multiple birds in one shot; setting your camera to a 'Photo + Video' mode or using a high-frame-rate video setting will help you capture their fast-paced movements and social posturing without blur.

Light is crucial for identifying this species accurately. Try to position your camera so the morning sun hits the feeder or birdbath from behind the lens; this illuminates the rich chestnut crown and prevents the white cheek patches from appearing washed out. If you have a nest box installed, placing a camera nearby during the spring can provide fascinating insights into their nesting behavior, but always maintain a respectful distance to avoid disturbing the brood.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Eurasian Tree Sparrow.

House Sparrow

House Sparrows have a grey crown and lack the black cheek patch; males and females look different.

American Tree Sparrow

Despite the name, the American Tree Sparrow has a rusty eye-line and a dark spot in the middle of a plain grey breast.

Browse all Birds arrow_forward

Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active during the daylight hours, with peaks in activity during the early morning and late afternoon. They spend much of this time foraging in groups.

Provide a variety of seeds like millet and sunflower hearts in ground feeders or hanging stations. They also love dense hedges for cover and are attracted to birdbaths for drinking and splashing.

Their diet is mostly seeds, weeds, and grain, but they are opportunistic and will eat insects and spiders, especially when raising their young in the spring.

Yes, they are very common in suburban gardens, particularly those near the edge of open countryside or large parks. They are less common in very dense urban city centers in Europe compared to House Sparrows.

Look for the Eurasian Tree Sparrow's bright chestnut crown and the distinct black patch on its white cheek. Unlike House Sparrows, male and female Eurasian Tree Sparrows look exactly the same.

Record Eurasian Tree Sparrow at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo