Sparrow ID Confusion

[Lester]

I snapped this bird when having a picnic in Hampshire. I assumed it was a Tree Sparrow, but on double checking in Hume, I notice the black cheek patch is missing and the black bib seems more extensive than expected.







I wonder if this could be the Italian sub-species P.d. italiae or a hybrid with the House Sparrow?

[valleyforge]

Any particular reason why you'd suspect it not to just be a House Sparrow?

[aeshna5]

All photos show a male House Sparrow.

[Lester]

Originally Posted by valleyforge

Any particular reason why you'd suspect it not to just be a House Sparrow?

Heh, I did wonder (you making me feel a bit silly now).

Mostly the head appears to brown all over with no obvious grey cap and the chest bib (a house I have only seen with a small throat bib), basically looks nothing like the regular House Sparrows I see at home right now, I was aware of that at the time; of course P.D.Italiae is a close relative.

So I can't make it fit a standard House Sparrow or a Tree Sparrow and the sub-species seems closest although out of normal range.

I know the House S. bib is bigger in spring but none of the ones in my garden have this big chest bib.

This is the reason for my confusion.

[Lester]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

All photos show a male House Sparrow.

Doh, your right.

I checked another shot I had deleted and I can see the grey cap, also I can see other H.S on line with that bib chest bib, just never seen it so obvious before.

Thanks to you and valleyforge.

[Guinnessman1974]

Regarding House Sparrows, I read that there are large regional differences showing declines in numbers but no clear reasons why. The South-East of England seems to be the hardest hit, with House sparrow numbers declining around 70% or so over the last 30 years.an

I have noted that where I now live, where there quite a number of old houses that have fallen into disrepair, there are large numbers of House Sparrows. They seem to love the nooks and crannies of older houses to nest in, and for shelter.

Maybe this is one of the reasons why the regional differences? Maybe in the South-east, their habitat has been destroyed by more modern building practices in these affluent areas? The same could be said for House Martins and Swifts.