Sparrows

For sparrows, the urban environment is close to their normal way of life. Natural populations of sparrows are found in shrubby riverbanks and small scrublands with open areas nearby. The ideal habitat for these birds is thought to be an area with shrubs suitable for hiding from predators and open areas for feeding. Urban parks and green spaces near buildings meet their natural needs, therefore, birds choose these places. Sparrows have gone much further in adapting to artificial environments: they have started to breed and feed in confined spaces, such as large factory floors, warehouses, shopping centres, hangars and even underground tunnels. In such places, these birds can breed all year round, no matter the season.

Why are they pests?

Their faeces pollute public places, cars, residential and commercial buildings.
Spread parasites and pathogens.
Sparrows occupy the nests of other birds, destroying their eggs and chicks ⎯ displacing the more desirable songbirds and insectivores.
They clog ventilation openings.
Once inside food factories, warehouses, grocery stores and supermarkets, these birds damage produce.
In agricultural areas, sparrows cause significant damage to crops.

Which areas are relevant?

Public health
Land management and maintenance sector
Food industry
Grain mills
Storage areas
Logistics sector

What do they harm and who do they harm?

Sparrows occupy the nests of other birds, destroying their eggs and chicks ⎯ displacing the more desirable songbirds and insectivorous birds
They pollute buildings with their droppings, as they usually perch there
Sparrows’ nests arranged in ventilation openings are becoming an increasing problem
Once in food factories, warehouses, grocery stores and supermarkets, these birds damage produce
Their faeces can harbour a wide range of disease-causing bacteria, fungi, nematodes, etc.
In agricultural areas, sparrows cause significant damage to crops such as wheat and other cereals, as one bird per day drops about 6 g of immature cereal seeds
Faeces contaminate public places, cars, residential and commercial buildings

Key attributes

Sparrows nest in man-made or natural sites that are sheltered from harsh environmental conditions. The most popular locations for the sparrow nests: edges of buildings, openings in buildings, drains, advertising signage, light fittings, anchors, house attics.
Both females and males build large and unstable nests made of straw, grass, feathers, scraps of paper, hair and other materials.
Sparrows can displace other birds (goldcrests, robins), destroy their eggs and use their nests to raise their own chicks.
Sparrows hatch 2⎯3 broods per year, which is a maximum of 21 chicks per year. Evidence suggests that in some cases, under favourable environmental conditions, hatching can occur throughout the year.
Young sparrows leave their nests immediately after their first flight, after about 15 days, and begin forming small flocks. Later, other broods and adults join in to form flocks of several hundred sparrows.
Both individual sparrows and flocks are very attached to their territory: they nest and feed in the same places all the time.
In winter they gather in urban areas, and in spring they spread out over agricultural.
Juveniles and non-breeding adults sometimes fly as far as 6⎯8 km from their nests to feeding sites.

PEST CONTROL involves the protection of human health, property and food resources from unwanted harmful organisms ⎯ pests.