House Sparrow (English Sparrow)

Passer domesticus

General Status Rank: 
Alien
Common Name: 
House Sparrow (English Sparrow)
Scientific Name: 
Passer domesticus
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Bird
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Aves
Order: 
Passeriformes
Family: 
Passerellidae
References: 
B004
General Biology

Economic/Human Considerations

Non-game species
References: 
H129
Habitat
near human buildings
References: 
B004
H129
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Plains
References: 
B004

Distribution

0.07 (B004); "Range extent <150,000 sq km, in the central south area of NWT, as visually estimated from range map (Canadian Wildlife Service – Prairie & Northern Region 2009. Bird distributions in Nunavut & the Northwest Territories: 2009 Review.); Locally common permanent resident. (NWT Bird checklist project)
Score: 
F
References: 
B004
Winter Distribution Description: 
non-migratory

Number of Occurrences

only near humans; Populations of House Sparrows are well-established in the NWT at Fort Simpson, Fort Providence, Hay River and Yellowknife. Also more sporadic reports from Fort Liard, Fort Smith and Enterprise. High count: 426 individuals; 2 January 1995; Yellowknife; multiple observers; Audubon CBC Data .Earliest records are from the 1020s: “One female seen commonly at Two Islands Indian village [30 miles below Fort Simpson], where it entered a cabin occupied by us June 26-27 [1921]”, CFN 36:64., “Common at Fort Smith” in 1929, CFN 45:161. (NWT Bird checklist project)
Score: 
C
References: 
H126

Historical Distribution

introduced to North America in 1850
References: 
B004

Area of Occupancy

increasing? Need data to confirm for NWT
Score: 
-
References: 
H129
LWR01
Trends

Trends

From 1 sightings in mid 1980s to high in 1990s, in decline in the 2000s and stable low since 2010 (CBC all NT: mostly Yellowknife)
Score: 
FG
References: 
H129
LWR01
Threats

Threats

None known
Score: 
C
References: 
H129

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Limited effects of climate change likely in next 10 yrs
Score: 
-
References: 
H129
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Alien
S Rank: 
SNA
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by Leslie Wakelyn and S. Carriere mostly based on printed material in 2000; Reviewed in 2005 by Craig Machtans and L. Armer - no change in status.; Reviewed in 2010;no change; Reviewed by Emily Upham-Mills CWS in 2015, no change; Reviewed in 2020, no change
Last Updated: 
June 19, 2020

References

Area of Occupancy

  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return
  • Downes, C.M., E.H. Dunn and C.M Francis (2000) Canadian Landbird Monitoring Strategy: monitoring needs and priorities into the new millenium.. Partners in Flight - Canada A 9-15 EC-CWS, Yellowknife (L. Wakelyn) - or communicate with Erica H. Dunn, CWS in Hull, QC, at erica.dunn@ec,gc,ca - LWR01 Return

Economic Status

  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return

Ecozones

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Habitat

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return
  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return

Historical Distribution

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Range Extent

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return
  • Downes, C.M., E.H. Dunn and C.M Francis (2000) Canadian Landbird Monitoring Strategy: monitoring needs and priorities into the new millenium.. Partners in Flight - Canada A 9-15 EC-CWS, Yellowknife (L. Wakelyn) - or communicate with Erica H. Dunn, CWS in Hull, QC, at erica.dunn@ec,gc,ca - LWR01 Return

Taxonomy

  • Godfrey WE (1986) The Birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada Revised Edition RWED Library Call #QL685.G6 - B004 Return

Threats

  • Wakelyn, Leslie (2000) Pers. communication. Wildlife biologist, CWS, Yellowknife - H129 Return