House Sparrow populations in farmland have declined by nearly 50% since 1968, while those in urban and suburban habitats have declined by 56% according to the BTO Garden Bird Feeding Survey. Although the reasons for the decline of House Sparrows in farmland habitats are well-understood, we still need to find out more about what has been happening in urban and suburban habitats.

For this reason the BTO is carrying out a detailed study into urban and suburban populations of House Sparrows during 2003 and 2004, building upon previous work that the BTO has recently completed and looking at the changing fortunes of these familiar birds.

This work has been made possible through the generosity of those people contributing to the BTO House Sparrow Appeal. We are very grateful to everybody who supported this appeal.

Possible reasons for House Sparrow decline in urban habitats

1. Recution in the availability of favoured food

2. Increased levels of pollution in urban and suburban habitats

3. Loss of suitable nesting sites

4. Increased prevalence of disease

5. Changes in the use and type of loft insulation

6. Increased levels of predation

The work that we are carrying out will be looking at these six issues to find out which ones may have contributed to the changes in sparrow populations witnessed in many towns and cities. The BTO is in the ideal position to carry out this research, by using its many thousands of volunteers who record and monitor bird populations in towns and cities across the country.

To find out more about this work - click here.

Click here to read about some good news for House Sparrows

To find out about the DEFRA HOUSE SPARROW CONFERENCE - click here

To download a fact sheet on House Sparrows - click here (PDF file 33kb)

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