(noun) The scientifically classified bird family that includes the "true" sparrows and Old World sparrows. These birds are native to Europe, Africa and Asia and are widespread within that region in a range of habitats, from grasslands and scrub to deserts, though they are less common in heavily forested areas.
Many Passeridae birds have been introduced in other parts of the world with great success, even becoming invasive species. While the roughly 40 species in this family are not in the same family as the American sparrows, which are in the Emberizidae family, they do have similar characteristics. Passeridae birds share:
- Plump shape with relatively short bills
- Plumage that tends toward dull earth tone colors but may have bold markings
- Granivorous diets and bills adapted to eat seeds
- Gregarious social behavior, including colonial nesting
- Preference for dust bathing
Familiar birds in the Passeridae family include the house sparrow, chestnut sparrow, rock sparrow, cape sparrow, Afghan snowfinch, yellow-throated petronia and the Eurasian tree sparrow.
Photo – House Sparrow © David Friel
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Sparrows, Old World Sparrows
