House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

(P. d. mayaudi, P. d. domesticus)

Armenian Name:	Տնային ճնճղուկ

See Plate 58 for House Sparrow and other similar species

Resident Status:	Year-round resident
Abundance:	Common
Length:	14-15 cm, Wing Span:21-25.5 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 329.
Description:	Females and juveniles are rather plain; grayish brown-yellow overall with paler supercilium and stripes on back and wings.
Adult (Breeding):	Male has gray crown, red-brown from eye to neck, white cheeks, and black bib.
Adult (Non-breeding):	Male is paler and duller.
Similar Species:	Male differs from Eurasian Tree Sparrow and male Spanish Sparrow by gray crown. Female and juvenile differ from Spanish Sparrow by smaller bill.
Behavior:	Often tame. Gregarious, especially outside breeding season.
Habitat:	Urban areas and nearby fields.
Food:	Seeds, small invertebrates.
Nest:	Cup of grass in crevice, hole in building or cliff, base of stork or raptor nest, nest box, or dense shrub.
Eggs:	22 mm, 3-7, white, brown spots.