Attracting Tree Sparrows

You could be forgiven for thinking this little cutie is a House Sparrow until you look at him carefully.  Unlike the House Sparrow he has a chestnut rather than grey head and dark patches on his cheeks where he hasn't applied his blusher very well.  Ooops!  Joking apart, these gorgeous little birds declined by almost 90% in the 1980s and '90's so if they appear in your garden, cherish them!  Feed them well and help them breed and maybe the rest of us might see them too.

Tree Sparrows are farmland birds but they will visit gardens especially in winter if you take their food preferences into account.  Look out for them amongst your House Sparrows if you have any and encourage them with nest boxes and good things to eat.

What do Tree Sparrows eat?

Tree Sparrows are primarily seed feeders and like a range of the wild and weedy seeds found around agricultural fields.  Luckily they are happy with a variety of foods including Peanuts Granules, Red Millet, Canary Seed and Suet Crumbs, and will feed from a table or a hanging feeder.

Top 3 foods for Tree Sparrows:

• No Wheat Wonder       5 Star
• The Max Mix                 4 Star
• Eat-It-All                        3 Star