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For a long time the sparrow was considered threatened, but now it is slowly reclaiming the local towns and gardens. You can find out more about sparrow breeding season, timing and nest building in the following article.

In a nutshell

  • Sparrows hatch the eggs for about 14 days
  • the direct breeding season depends on the ambient temperatures
  • can take two days longer in spring when the temperatures are cooler
  • Summer with hot temperatures one to two days shorter
  • Sparrows breed up to three times between April and August

Main breeding season of sparrows

Courtship and incubation lasts a long time with sparrows, because during this time the sparrows breed between one and three times. The first mating and courtship display begins as early as April. The last one can definitely not take place until August. Late breeding is also due to the fact that sparrows are resident birds and the last brood does not need to fledge as quickly as they do not have to head south like many other bird species do.

After the young birds no longer have to be fed by their parents and can take care of themselves, the next courtship and breeding season begins for the older sparrows. The young animals will not provide for a new brood until next year.

Notice: In the case of sparrows, males and females take turns incubating during the day, but usually only the female sits in the nest at night to keep the eggs warm.

duration of a breeding season

  • Breeding time about two weeks
  • two days shorter or longer depending on the outside temperature
  • longer in April
  • often shorter in summer
  • Young birds remain in the nest for about 16 days
  • after leaving, they remain branch stool
  • continue to be fed by their parents
  • but here also easy prey for predators
  • after another eight days the young sparrows become independent

The duration of a single incubation period of a sparrow (Passer domesticus), during which the laid eggs hatch and the young birds grow until they leave the nest, also depends on various factors:

nesting place

Originally, sparrows lived in large populations in tree savannas. But after people settled down, the birds wanted to be close by. The optimal habitat for a sparrow today is a village or the outskirts of town, where agriculture is practiced, where animals are kept openly or where parks and gardens are often located with restaurants. Therefore, many nesting sites of the birds are also in the inner cities, because enough food is found here. The nests are made by sparrows during the breeding season as follows:

  • nest in a confined space
  • many nests next to each other
  • in small crevices and cavities on buildings
  • Sparrows are social birds
  • raise the young birds together
  • better defense options for the nests in the swarm, for example against magpies
  • old nests are repaired and continue to be used

Notice: There weren't always sparrows in America. It was not until 1851/52 that citizens of New York released 100 house sparrows in a cemetery in Brooklyn. The birds adopted the new home and are still widespread today.

frequently asked Questions

Are sparrows human-related birds?

For 10,000 years, sparrows have lived with humans in a kind of community. Because when people settled down and started farming, the sparrows, who were also very local, simply stayed there. Because the birds usually only move a few kilometers away from their place of birth. The animals find sufficient food and suitable nesting sites in close proximity to humans.

How many eggs do sparrows lay?

Each brood has about four to six eggs that are hatched. If you do the math, a pair of sparrows will hatch up to 18 eggs per year, assuming three broods from April to August. If this is extrapolated to a whole sparrow population, then it sounds like a lot at first. However, less than 50% of young birds survive each year.

How old can adult sparrows get?

The sparrows multiply quite quickly, assuming the hatched eggs in the year. But since the adult animals do not reach old age either, this is also important for the maintenance of the population. Because of the young birds that survive immediately after hatching, only about 20% will survive the first year, after which a sparrow can reach an age of between three and six years.

Are sparrows monogamous?

Yes, once the animals have decided on a partner, they have a lifelong relationship with them. However, the partners do not remain alone when the other dies, but look for a new life partner at the next courtship.

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Category:

Animals in the garden