House Sparrow, Passer domesticus: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Ohio
The House Sparrow was introduced in New York City, in 1852 and has spread as far south as Panama, and as far west as the Northwest Territories. It is well adapted to human habitation and is at home in both urban and rural habitats. House Sparrows typically avoid extensive woodlands, (the reason I have never had one at my feeders), grasslands, and deserts where there is no human development.
House Sparrows frequently build nests in eaves and other house crevices, holes in cliffs and banks, and nest boxes. The latter puts the sparrow in competition with bluebirds, tree swallows and other cavity nesting birds. This particular bird was jostling with Tree Swallows over a nest box in Ottawa NWR south of Lake Erie. I did not stay in the area long enough to see who actually won the box.
Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/400 second @ f/7.1
To lean more about the House Sparrow visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_sparrow
The sparrow probably won. They will kill the bluebirds and swallows. They are considered invasive and not protected in the U.S. Efforts to eradicate them are continuous as they are not only a nuisance but a danger to our native birds.
ReplyDelete