About the Eurasian Tree Sparrow
The tree sparrow is a passerine bird in the sparrow family with a rich chestnut crown and nape and a black patch on each pure white cheek. The sexes have similar plumage, and young birds are duller versions of the adult. This sparrow breeds across much of temperate Eurasia and Southeast Asia and has been introduced elsewhere, including the United States, where it is known as the Eurasian tree sparrow or German sparrow to differentiate it from the native American tree sparrow. Although several subspecies are recognised, the appearance of this bird varies little across its extensive range.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The tree sparrow is 12.5–14 cm (5–5+1⁄2 in) long, with a wingspan of about 21 cm (8.3 in) and a weight of 24 g (0.85 oz), making it roughly 10% smaller than the house sparrow. The adult's crown and nape are rich chestnut, and there is a kidney-shaped black ear patch on each pure white cheek; the chin, throat, and the area between the bill and throat are black. The upperparts are light brown, streaked with black, and the brown wings have two distinct narrow white bars. The legs are pale brown, and the bill is lead-blue in summer, becoming almost black in winter.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Eurasian Tree Sparrow sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Morocco.
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Cape SparrowPasser melanurusFor a sparrow, the Cape sparrow is strikingly coloured and distinctive, and is medium-sized at 14–16 cm (5.5–6.3 in) long.
Southern Grey-headed SparrowPasser diffususThe southern grey-headed sparrow is a passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae.
Spanish SparrowPasser hispaniolensisThe Spanish sparrow is a rather large sparrow, at 15–16 cm (6–6.5 in) in length, and 22–36 g (0.78–1.27 oz) in weight.
Side by side: Eurasian Tree Sparrow vs House Sparrow · Cape Sparrow vs Eurasian Tree Sparrow · Eurasian Tree Sparrow vs Spanish Sparrow
Learn the Eurasian Tree Sparrow for real
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