House sparrow

Male house sparrow with a grey crown, chestnut nape, and black bib perched on a spruce branch, Manitoba

The house sparrow is a small, sturdy bird that lives close to people. Males like this one have a grey crown, a chestnut nape, and a black bib, while females are plain brown.

Introduced from Europe, house sparrows nest in buildings, trees, and nest boxes, and they gather in noisy flocks around farms, feeders, and town streets.

It is easy to overlook a house sparrow, but the streaked back and the male’s black bib reward a closer look.

To learn more about the house sparrow and its habitat, visit its species page at All About Birds.

Field notes in photographs

  • Male house sparrow with a grey crown, chestnut nape, and black bib perched on a spruce branch, Manitoba
  • Female house sparrow on a frosty branch

House sparrow Manitoba sightings

Where and when you can find the house sparrow in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more species in the Manitoba birds section.

Map of Manitoba showing where the house sparrow lives year-round, with major cities and lakes
Where to look for the house sparrow in Manitoba through the seasons: living year-round in the Boreal Plains and the Prairies (teal). Habitat regions: National Ecological Framework for Canada. Boundaries: Statistics Canada. Lakes: Natural Earth.

Back to Manitoba bird photography, or see the portfolio.

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