Eurasian tree sparrow

Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus) [nonnative]
Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation

FEATURES
The Eurasian tree sparrow is about six inches in length. The male and female of this species resemble the male house sparrow, but they have a smaller patch of black on the throat, a brown crown and a black patch on each side of the head.

BEHAVIORS
The Eurasian tree sparrow is found along the Mississippi River north from St. Louis to Rock Island and along the lower half of the Illinois River. It is a permanent resident of west central Illinois. European tree sparrows do not migrate. Pastures, weedy fields, wooded parks and urban areas are the habitats where this species can be found. It feeds on insects and seeds.

​Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passeridae