Sparrow look-alikes
Passeridae
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Open the appSeveral birds can be mistaken for the Sparrow. Compare the key differences below to confirm your sighting.
Birds to compare
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
Key differences
Males have a grey crown, chestnut nape, black bib, and white cheeks. Females are duller brown with a pale supercilium. Often confused with Eurasian Tree Sparrow.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanus
Key differences
Both sexes look alike, with a chestnut crown, black cheek patch, and black bib. Lacks the grey crown and white cheeks of the male House Sparrow. Generally found in more rural or semi-urban settings than House Sparrows.
Spanish Sparrow
Passer hispaniolensis
Key differences
Males have a heavily streaked black and white underside, a chestnut crown, and a larger black bib than House Sparrows. Females are similar to House Sparrow females but often have more streaking on flanks.
Rock Sparrow
Petronia petronia
Key differences
Larger, with a more streaked appearance overall, a prominent yellow throat patch (often difficult to see), and white tail corners visible in flight. Belongs to a different genus (Petronia) but is superficially similar.
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