Is the English Sparrow (or House Sparrow) a problem in your area?
Birders. Is the House Sparrow, HOSP, a problem in your area? Apparently in my neck of the woods, they are. This morning, my tree hugging, vegetarian, mouse relocating, bird loving neighbor asked to borrow one of my rifles (a scoped, lever action 22) and a box of bullets. “Of course, no problem at all. Come on over.” I figured he was using it to reach an old wasp nest someplace so I kidded him. “So what are you shooting?” I asked. “A HOSP is attacking my swallow nests.” I was shocked! He told me about the issue and how they are destroying his bluebird and sparrow nests. I looked it up and found this: “Adult HOSP, nests, eggs and young may be destroyed under federal law. Humanely euthanize trapped birds. Relocating them only relocates the problem, and in some states a permit is required.” Source
I had no idea they were so dangerous to the native population. They peck other birds to death while they are sitting on the nest and take over nesting boxes. The males with the bib are the trouble makers and do the most killing. Who knew?
I thought all LBBs (little brown birds) were alike. Now that I know the difference between a chipping sparrow and a house sparrow, I will act accordingly and take appropriate action.
Do you do anything to control them?
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There not a problem in my area. We have a well balanced population of birds and excellent habitat for them. And we have a big population of predatory birds so maybe they just keep them in balance. I haven’t ever seen anything bothering my bluebird/swallow boxes.
House sparrows are on the decline around here, as in much of the US. They’re being out-competed by the House Finch . The House Finch was introduced to the Eastern US from California about 70 years ago, and populations have exploded. They aren’t nearly as aggressive as the House Sparrow, but they occupy the same ecological niche and seem to have the competitive edge.
I am seeing a whole lot of finches and, with fewer house sparrows around, more of the native sparrow species.
@thorninmud We are getting a lot of those finches here. That might explain why the sparrows aren’t a problem.
They are a problem here, but I don’t actively work to control them. Rehabbers in the area don’t accept them (although they will use them to train inexperienced individuals working to obtain their licenses since you don’t have to be licensed to handle them, along with starlings, house finches, and other introduced/non-native species).
I had no idea they were such a problem. I will do my part to help the bluebirds. After all, they are the state bird, they eat insects and they were here first.
Like @Adirondackwannabe we have a large population of various birds, but we have problems with the Blue Jays being overtly aggressive and also the Kracklin’s (not sure of the spelling.) We don’t kill any though, too many cats and dogs around that take care of that.
We have a natural habitat in our suburban paradise, and encourage doves, cardinals and hummingbirds to call our place home. Dove cooing is so peaceful.
We have them like crazy in my college town; they like urban areas. Barely have anything else (I’ve actually grown to like them because they’re all I have and they have a lot of personality). I don’t see them doing anything harmful, but I assume they do because that’s what they do.
We don’t have them so much in my hometown or the town where my family currently lives, but I see them now and then.
@Bellatrix Interesting study. Would meal worms in a feeder work?
I guess that might help in some areas @Adirondackwannabe but would be hard to implement in a broad enough way to make a difference to the species’ survival. Perhaps a better option would be for people to plant native deciduous shrubs in their gardens. If we provide the habitat for the food they need, that might help boost their numbers.
Let me think about it a bit. And I’ll look in the stores to see what’s available. Other birds would also benefit from the protein.
House Sparrows used to be very common round here, now they seem to be dying out. I hardly ever see them any more. The problem bird in my area is the magpie.
@Bellatrix That is an interesting study. Thanks! Isn’t it ironic that they are on the decline in the UK? They are quite a scourge here. Clearly we have the food supply they need.
If someone could teach them to how to be good neighbors they’d be fine.
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