House Sparrows in Vermont

            The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), otherwise referred to as the English Sparrow, was introduced into North America from Europe during the mid 1800’s. The now problematic invasive species was specifically introduced into the Vermont ecosystem between 1874 and 1876, in St. Johnsbury.            

            The Sparrows were originally introduced into the United States because of their reputation for eradicating harmful insects, as well as providing familiar wildlife for the European settlers. In the past 200 years, House Sparrows have become some of the most abundant songbirds in North America, establishing themselves in 48 states.

RSPB, 2012

            House Sparrows quickly adapted to New England, largely due to certain characteristics that allow their populations to thrive.  House Sparrows grow and reproduce rapidly, and average approximately 20 chicks per season. They also adapt easily to different conditions, eating a wide range of foods and nesting in many different locations. They are aggressive competitors, adding an unnatural stress to the lives of many native songbirds.  The Europeans who introduced the sparrows into the United States could not have forseen the effect that these birds would have on other native species, because songbirds like the Eastern Bluebird aren’t found in Europe. House sparrows begin nesting in late winter and early spring, beating other native migratory birds to nesting sites. They are also extremely intelligent and territorial, attacking nearby nesters, killing hatchlings, and destroying eggs.

Vermont Center For Ecostudies,  2007
*Green represents confirmed sparrow populations

            The North American Bluebird Society has a long list of preventative and aggressive control methods. Preventatively, the type of box, the location, and keeping the bird box plugged until native songbird nesting times have all been proven to reduce the numbers of Sparrows within an area. If the sparrows are already living at a nesting site, regular monitoring and the removal of nesting material will prevent them from hatching a brood, but the male will continue to guard the site from any other species fiercely. Many birders feel that trapping, and then exterminating the sparrows in a quick, humane way is the proper way to control the invasive species. Relocating the bird is just relocating the problem, and provides little help.

            On a positive note, House Sparrow populations are thought to have decreased by almost 9% in the past few years in Vermont, largely because of the decline in the number of active farms and the reforestation of fields, which decreases the grain availability and ideal nesting sites. 

                                             Wyatt, 2004

Article: House Sparrow Population Must Be Managed

            Bird enthusiasts throughout New England are always workings towards the management of House Sparrow populations. House sparrows are one of the most recognizable songbirds in the country, but are also intense competitors and extremely aggressive towards other birds, often native species. The house sparrow is known for pecking other birds to death, destroying eggs, and then taking over the preferential nesting site. If you decide to put up bluebird boxes in your yard, they must be monitored carefully. Many say that the building bluebird boxes, and then leaving them unattended causes more harm than help, as they end up completely occupied by sparrows. There are many ways to deter house sparrows, from using nesting boxes or feeders, including the actual physical extermination of the bird.

By Meagan Murray

Pimentel D., Zuniga R., Morrison D.

Update on the environmental and economic costs associated with alien-invasive species in the United States

(2005) Ecological Economics, 52 (3 SPEC. ISS.), pp. 273-288.

           Richard F. Johnston and Robert K. Selander

           Evolution , Vol. 25, No. 1 (Mar., 1971), pp. 1-28