Nonnatives - House Sparrow

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

Florida's Nonnative Wildlife. Species detail.

First year: 1800's

Extirpated year:

Established status: Populations are confirmed breeding and apparently self-sustaining for 10 or more consecutive years.

Estimated Florida range: 67 counties  At least 10 years

Statewide trend:  Stable

Threats to natives: May displace native bird species that use holes and nest boxes, and may harass native bird species. They also carry many different types of diseases that could be spread to native species at backyard feeders.

Species Account: Introduced to the United States from Europe in the 1800s and now found throughout North America. It is a nuisance species on farms and in urban areas, especially where droppings can contaminate food. Particularly bothersome due to its habitat of nesting on buildings. Much effort is spent to control local populations or individuals.

Habitats: Central or core urban area, Low density suburban development, areas peripheral to core urban areas, and small towns, Agricultural habitat

References

James, F. C. 1997. Nonindigenous Birds. Pages 139-156 In Strangers Among Us: Impact and management of nonindigenous species in Florida. (Simberloff,D., D. Schmitz, and E. Wilson, eds.) Island Press, Washington D.C.

Lowther, P.E., and C. L. Cink. 1992. House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) In Birds of North America, No. 12 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.) The Academy of Natural Science, Philadelphia, PA and The American Ornithological Union, Washington D.C.

Robertson, W. B., and G. E. Woolfenden. 1992. Florida bird species: an annotated list. Florida Ornithological Society, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Stevenson, H. M., and B. H. Anderson. 1994. The birdlife of Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Links to more information

UF/IFAS Extension Fact Sheet

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