# Italian Sparrow (*Passer italiae*) The Italian Sparrow is a small, friendly bird often found in cities and towns. They have a cheerful chirp and love to gather in groups, making them fun to watch as they hop around. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Italian Sparrow](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Passer_italiae_1_%28loz%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Loz (L. B. Tettenborn), CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Passer_italiae_1_%28loz%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Italian Sparrow is a robust bird, males having a striking chestnut crown and nape, grey cheeks, and a prominent black bib. Females are duller, featuring a streaky brown back and a pale supercilium, visually differing from their male counterparts. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Passeridae - **Genus:** Passer ## Interesting facts - Some scientists call them 'walking museums' due to their unique genetic blend! - These clever birds can learn different ways to open tricky food containers! - They love to 'sunbathe,' spreading their wings to warm up and clean their feathers! - This sparrow is a natural hybrid, a mix of two other sparrow species! ## Special abilities - **Hybrid Vigor:** Italian Sparrow has unique genetic traits because it's a natural hybrid, helping it adapt to diverse environments. - **Urban Adaptability:** Italian Sparrow can thrive in human-dominated areas because of its flexible diet and clever nesting strategies. - **Social Intelligence:** Italian Sparrow can efficiently find food and spot danger by foraging in groups, which helps them survive better. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 14-16 cm - **Wingspan:** 23-26 cm - **Weight:** 0.026-0.032 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-7 - **Incubation:** 11-14 days ## Diet & Feeding These adaptable birds enjoy a varied diet of seeds, grains, and insects found in their surroundings. - **Primary Foods:** Seeds, Grains, Insects, Berries - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Sparrowhawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-sparrowhawk) (*Accipiter nisus*) — A common avian predator in their habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Often preyed upon by cats in urban settings. - **Eats:** [Barley](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barley) (*Hordeum vulgare*) — Feeds on seeds from various cultivated grains. - **Eats:** [Wheat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wheat) (*Triticum aestivum*) — A significant food source in agricultural areas. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Italian Sparrow? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Italian Sparrow? 14-16 cm ### What is Italian Sparrow's wingspan? 23-26 cm ### How much does Italian Sparrow weigh? 0.026-0.032 kg ### How long does Italian Sparrow live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Italian Sparrow move? 50 km/h ### What does Italian Sparrow eat? These adaptable birds enjoy a varied diet of seeds, grains, and insects found in their surroundings. ### Where is Italian Sparrow usually found? Urban areas ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Italian Sparrow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/italian-sparrow)