![]() ![]() I’ve often come across nesting boxes where House Sparrows killed adult Bluebirds and Tree Swallows as they sat on their eggs. They do not kill for food.Īlso, they are not a ‘protected bird’…by Federal law…it’s unlawful to kill our native songbirds, raptors, etc. Unlike predatory birds such as hawks which are part of the food chain, House Sparrows will work relentlessly to destroy other birds’ eggs and young – for no apparent reason other than their determination to take over the bird world. The female is much harder to discern and can easily be confused with fox, song and field sparrows, to name only a few. The male is easily identified by its black throat and chest, which makes him appear as if he is wearing a bib. The House Sparrow, Passer domesticus (also known as the English Sparrow), is actually not a sparrow at all but a weaver finch introduced to this country from Europe in the mid-1800s. But it turns out that a large number of these new nest boxes are being used by House Sparrows – the worst kind of troublemakers. It’s encouraging to see more birdhouses out there. Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Carolina chickadees and Tree Swallows, which will help put a dent in the flying insect population, are also desirable tenants. My guess is that most people erect these bird dwellings in the hope of attracting the beautiful Eastern Bluebird. If the babies are feathered, they are very close to leaving on their own, so consider putting off repairs for one to two weeks.In the past few years, I’ve seen a big increase in the number of bluebird nesting boxes. ![]() If the babies are feathered out, they can last longer. Out of the nest, without their mom brooding them, nestling birds become cold and hypothermic.
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