Tree Sparrow

Description

The largest population is across the midlands, southern and eastern England. Found mainly in hedgerows and woodland. This bird is often confused with the larger House Sparrow, but it is smaller, and more active, with its tail almost permanently cocked. It has a chestnut brown head and nape (rather than grey).

Though occasionally nesting in isolated trees, it is a gregarious bird at all seasons, what it likes is a hole in which to put its untidy nest, composed of hay, grass, wool or other material and lined with feathers. Occasionally they will occupy and build in an old Magpies nest.

They are shyer than house sparrows in the UK and are not associated with man, although in Europe they nest in buildings just like house sparrows. The diet is mostly seeds, and it will feed the young on insects. The four to six eggs, are smaller and, as a rule, browner than those of the House Sparrow.