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House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

Bird · family Passeridae · order Passeriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Oldest known wild bird
15 years[3]

The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a bird in the family Passeridae[4]. NatureServe ranks it G5, which means Secure worldwide, and it is not a native species in the states where NatureServe lists it as introduced[2][5].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the House Sparrow a global rank of G5 (Secure)[2]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[6]. The bird is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data[1]. Not being listed under the ESA is a legal status and not a promise about how any local group is doing.

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[6] Least concern

Where House Sparrow lives

NatureServe lists the House Sparrow as introduced, meaning not native, in a long list of states[5]. These include Alaska, California, Texas, New York, Florida and Wyoming, along with the District of Columbia[5]. Every state rank NatureServe gives for it is SNA, a code for a species that is not native there[7]. On GBIF, New York, Texas, California, Illinois and Pennsylvania have the most observation records, but that follows how much people look and report and not how many birds live there[8].

Alaska: introduced, state rank SNAAKMaine: introduced, state rank SNAMEWisconsin: introduced, state rank SNAWIVermont: introduced, state rank SNAVTNew Hampshire: introduced, state rank SNANHWashington: introduced, state rank SNAWAIdaho: introduced, state rank SNAIDMontana: introduced, state rank SNAMTNorth Dakota: introduced, state rank SNANDMinnesota: introduced, state rank SNAMNIllinois: introduced, state rank SNAILMichigan: introduced, state rank SNAMINew York: introduced, state rank SNANYMassachusetts: introduced, state rank SNAMAOregon: introduced, state rank SNAORNevada: introduced, state rank SNANVWyoming: introduced, state rank SNAWYSouth Dakota: introduced, state rank SNASDIowa: introduced, state rank SNAIAIndiana: introduced, state rank SNAINOhio: introduced, state rank SNAOHPennsylvania: introduced, state rank SNAPANew Jersey: introduced, state rank SNANJConnecticut: introduced, state rank SNACTRhode Island: introduced, state rank SNARICalifornia: introduced, state rank SNACAUtah: introduced, state rank SNAUTColorado: introduced, state rank SNACONebraska: introduced, state rank SNANEMissouri: introduced, state rank SNAMOKentucky: introduced, state rank SNAKYWest Virginia: introduced, state rank SNAWVVirginia: introduced, state rank SNAVAMaryland: introduced, state rank SNAMDDelaware: introduced, state rank SNADEArizona: introduced, state rank SNAAZNew Mexico: introduced, state rank SNANMKansas: introduced, state rank SNAKSArkansas: introduced, state rank SNAARTennessee: introduced, state rank SNATNNorth Carolina: introduced, state rank SNANCSouth Carolina: introduced, state rank SNASCDistrict of Columbia: introduced, state rank SNADCOklahoma: introduced, state rank SNAOKLouisiana: introduced, state rank SNALAMississippi: introduced, state rank SNAMSAlabama: introduced, state rank SNAALGeorgia: introduced, state rank SNAGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: introduced, state rank SNATXFlorida: introduced, state rank SNAFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[7].
Show state ranks (50 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaSNANot Applicable
AlaskaSNANot Applicable
ArizonaSNANot Applicable
ArkansasSNANot Applicable
CaliforniaSNANot Applicable
ColoradoSNANot Applicable
ConnecticutSNANot Applicable
DelawareSNANot Applicable
District of ColumbiaSNANot Applicable
FloridaSNANot Applicable
GeorgiaSNANot Applicable
IdahoSNANot Applicable
IllinoisSNANot Applicable
IndianaSNANot Applicable
IowaSNANot Applicable
KansasSNANot Applicable
KentuckySNANot Applicable
LouisianaSNANot Applicable
MaineSNANot Applicable
MarylandSNANot Applicable
MassachusettsSNANot Applicable
MichiganSNANot Applicable
MinnesotaSNANot Applicable
MississippiSNANot Applicable
MissouriSNANot Applicable
MontanaSNANot Applicable
NebraskaSNANot Applicable
NevadaSNANot Applicable
New HampshireSNANot Applicable
New JerseySNANot Applicable
New MexicoSNANot Applicable
New YorkSNANot Applicable
North CarolinaSNANot Applicable
North DakotaSNANot Applicable
OhioSNANot Applicable
OklahomaSNANot Applicable
OregonSNANot Applicable
PennsylvaniaSNANot Applicable
Rhode IslandSNANot Applicable
South CarolinaSNANot Applicable
South DakotaSNANot Applicable
TennesseeSNANot Applicable
TexasSNANot Applicable
UtahSNANot Applicable
VermontSNANot Applicable
VirginiaSNANot Applicable
WashingtonSNANot Applicable
West VirginiaSNANot Applicable
WisconsinSNANot Applicable
WyomingSNANot Applicable

Habitat

NatureServe records cropland and hedgerow, suburban and orchard, and urban habitats for this bird[9]. Its notes describe cities, villages, farms and parks in North America[10]. The bird nests in cavities and in crevices of buildings and other structures[10].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[9]

Size, diet and lifespan

An adult is about 16 cm (6 in) long and weighs about 28 g[11][12]. It eats seeds, grain, small fruits and, in summer, insects and other small animals without backbones[13][14]. One estimate puts its diet at 60% seeds, 30% other plant material and 10% invertebrates[15]. Clutches average near 4 in the southern US and near 5 in the northern US, and most northern females raise 2 to 3 broods a year[16]. The longest recorded lifespan is 23 years, and the oldest known wild bird in US and Canadian banding records was at least 15 years 9 months old[17][3].

Trait Value
Typical length[11] 16 cm (6 in)
Typical adult weight[12] 28 g (1.0 oz)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[17] 23 years
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[3] 15 years 9 months
Litter or clutch size[18] 5
Gestation or incubation[19] 11 days
Female maturity[20] 152 days (about 0.4 years)
Food habits[14] Invertivore, Granivore, Frugivore
Migration[21] non-migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[15]

  • 60% seeds
  • 30% other plant material
  • 10% invertebrates

When to look for it

The House Sparrow is active in the daytime[22]. NatureServe calls it a non-migrant, though populations can differ[21]. Nesting begins sooner in southern areas and later farther north[16]. GBIF records in the United States are highest in February, April and May, which shows when people look and report and not how many birds there are[23].

January: 1,055,869 recordsJanFebruary: 1,296,203 recordsFebMarch: 1,220,834 recordsMarApril: 1,631,214 recordsAprMay: 1,983,527 recordsMayJune: 1,162,569 recordsJunJuly: 1,018,141 recordsJulAugust: 823,954 recordsAugSeptember: 735,559 recordsSepOctober: 867,512 recordsOctNovember: 811,541 recordsNovDecember: 887,619 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[23].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January1,055,869
February1,296,203
March1,220,834
April1,631,214
May1,983,527
June1,162,569
July1,018,141
August823,954
September735,559
October867,512
November811,541
December887,619

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record House Sparrow as present in 199 park units[24]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 175 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: New York, Texas, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania[8]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the House Sparrow endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5 (Secure)[2].
Is the House Sparrow native to the United States?
NatureServe lists it as introduced, not native, in many states including Alaska, California, Texas and New York[5].
What does the House Sparrow eat?
It eats seeds, grain, small fruits and, in summer, insects and other invertebrates[13]. One estimate gives 60% seeds, 30% other plant material and 10% invertebrates[15].
How big is a House Sparrow?
A typical adult is about 16 cm (6 in) long and weighs about 28 g[11][12].
How long does a House Sparrow live?
The longest recorded lifespan is 23 years[17]. The oldest known wild bird in banding records was at least 15 years 9 months old[3].

Facts and sources

  1. House Sparrow is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for House Sparrow: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. Oldest known wild House Sparrow from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 15 years 9 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  4. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a bird in the family Passeridae, order Passeriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  5. NatureServe lists House Sparrow as introduced (not native) in: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,... NatureServe Explorer
  6. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  7. NatureServe state ranks for House Sparrow (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  8. US states with the most GBIF observation records of House Sparrow: New York, Texas, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  9. Habitat types NatureServe records for House Sparrow: Cropland/hedgerow, Suburban/orchard, Urban/edificarian. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe notes on habitat for House Sparrow. NatureServe Explorer
  11. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 16 cm (6 in). NatureServe Explorer
  12. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 28 g (1.0 oz). NatureServe Explorer
  13. NatureServe notes on food for House Sparrow. NatureServe Explorer
  14. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore, Granivore, Frugivore. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 60% seeds, 30% other plant material, 10% invertebrates. EltonTraits 1.0
  16. NatureServe notes on reproduction for House Sparrow. NatureServe Explorer
  17. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 23 years. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  18. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 5. AnAge
  19. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 11 days. AnAge
  20. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 152 days (about 0.4 years). AnAge
  21. NatureServe migration category for House Sparrow: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  22. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  23. GBIF observation records of House Sparrow in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  24. NPSpecies park lists recording House Sparrow as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.