House Sparrow look-alikes
Passer domesticus
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Open the appSeveral birds can be mistaken for the House Sparrow. Compare the key differences below to confirm your sighting.
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Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanus
Key differences
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow has a chestnut crown (House Sparrow male has grey), a distinct black spot on its white cheek (House Sparrow male has plain white cheek), and two prominent white wing bars (House Sparrow has one less distinct bar). Females and juveniles of both species are duller, but the Tree Sparrow retains the chestnut crown and black cheek spot.
American Tree Sparrow
Spizelloides arborea
Key differences
Found only in North America. Has a rusty cap, a bicolored bill (dark upper mandible, yellow lower mandible), and a dark spot on its unstreaked breast. House Sparrows lack the rusty cap and breast spot, and have a uniformly colored bill (black in breeding males, horn in females/non-breeding males).
Female/Juvenile Finches (e.g., House Finch, Purple Finch)
Haemorhous mexicanus, Haemorhous purpureus
Key differences
Female House Sparrows have plain, unstreaked underparts and a buffy supercilium. Female finches typically have streaked underparts and often lack a distinct supercilium. Finches also tend to have more conical, slightly larger bills relative to their head size.
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