Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Overview

Eurasian Tree Sparrow: Small, introduced sparrow, black-streaked red-brown upperparts, buff underparts, single white wing-bar. Head has chestnut-brown crown, small black mask, chin, ear patches. Swift bounding flight, alternates rapid wing beats with periods of wings pulled to sides.

Range and Habitat

Eurasian Tree Sparrow: Native of Europe and much of Asia; introduced to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1870. Preferred habitats include city parks, suburban areas, and farmlands.

INTERESTING FACTS

In 1870, a bird dealer in St. Louis, Missouri received a mixed shipment of songbirds imported from Germany. Among those birds were about two dozen Eurasian Tree Sparrows. In late April of that year, in an effort to enhance North American avifauna, these birds were set free in Lafayette Park in St. Louis.
The small American population is sometimes referred to as "German Sparrows", to distinguish it from the native species as well as the vast numbers of "English" House Sparrows.
Occurrences of this species in western America and Canada are thought to be either escaped cage birds or stowaways on seagoing vessels from the orient.
A group of sparrows has many collective nouns, including a "crew", "flutter", "meinie", "quarrel", and "ubiquity" of sparrows.