Tricks and treats to become a HOSP landlord

[C.C.Martins]

In the fertile crescent of the middle east, house sparrows were seed eaters, feeding on the grasses the first farmers selected into cereals. As cultivation spread, and hunter gatherers settled on the land, the sparrow kept them company, all the way, eventually to Ireland on the west coast to the eastern reaches of Siberia, eventually America and every continent worldwide, (except for Antarctica). Their nests are built with unmatched skill, swiftness and ability; in fact, they are a weaver finch!

This is where we come in. Here are some tricks and treats or "rules of the road" to assist sparrow landlords interested in their care.

During extreme cold weather events, some landlords provide thinly sliced ribeye steak as a protein source to see them through the difficult times.

Use a red flipping spoon to flip food. Unlike other species, they will readily accept offered food

Open housing BEFORE martins, blue birds or tree swallows arrive, competition can be fierce; opening the housing earlier can give the sparrows an edge they need for their nest site.

Monitor the health of your sparrow colony regularly, a lack of activity or their cheerful cheeps and calls may be a sign of a potential problem. Careful intervention on your behalf may be called for to ensure their success.

Consider providing bare spots on the ground, they love dust baths. Many, many hours of enjoyment can be had.

Although they are charismatic and social creatures, consider carefully the distance between housing, the male may become a tad territorial thus 10 to 15 feet is acceptable.

Of course, we would need SREH to keep the Starlings from attacking the sparrows inside the cavity. Consider carefully their nesting area entrance size, large 2-inch holes are available and while they maybe preferred, can provide an avenue for larger bird species (Purple Martins, Tree Swallows, Blue Birds, Starlings), to disrupt their carefully chosen nest site and damage eggs or young sparrows.

Use the PMCA's Bed and Breakfast to provide white feathers and grass for the sparrows to nest build with. This will provide our friends with clean soft nest material, watching a sparrow pair choose your nesting material is uplifting.

Provide suitable nesting boxes, they prefer 10 x 6 compartments- any material will be acceptable, but healthy chicks need ventilation. The adults will soon fill the compartment with skill and keep the nest tidy and clean. Like some species of songbirds, mites may become an issue...nest changes are not recommended with these crafty nest builders therefore a suitable poultry pesticide is recommended to keep chicks healthy.

The adults prefer to sit in a location above and near their chosen nest site, so locating the home near a tree or bush is a wonderful idea, but far enough away the danger from climbing creatures is minimal.

Some house sparrow landlords have gone so far as banding their colony of sparrows. This activity is conducted through a licensed bander and rules vary from state to state. A good spotting scope will be necessary to identify your birds as they return to their nest site each year!

In short, you can become a sparrow landlord, provide a safe nesting location, and care for them during good and tough times. No fewer than 14 of the world's 20 cheerful species now live happily alongside people and nest in holes in their buildings. Many, many hours of enjoyment can be yours--from watching their antics to their chicks leaving the nest.

[G Saner]

Tom,

Excellent tips for keeping our brown "feathered friends" healthy.

I read with interest the part about the red flipping spoon during cold weather events. I use freshly baked bread. Anything left over that day; I throw out and bake more the next morning. Of course I use gluten-free, organic, free-range flour.

[C.C.Martins]

Gary,
Shows true dedication, wow that will ensure your brown feathered friends remain healthy! Ill have to look up free range flour sir, ill admit here for all iv used microwaved French fries. Ill endeavor to get better Gary.

[John Miller]

I read somewhere that house sparrows were released into Hawaii -- even there -- to help control agriculture insect pests. They feed insects to their young. Ooophs, after that they eat grain crops.

[C.C.Martins]

Sparrows in paradise....

[Thomas Maddox]

This is Gold. If your HOSPS are feeling a little blue, take them for a weekly trip to your local Walmart parking lot so they can enjoy a new venue and get a little extra social interaction. Make House Sparrows great again

[C.C.Martins]

This is Gold. If your HOSPS are feeling a little blue, take them for a weekly trip to your local Walmart parking lot so they can enjoy a new venue and get a little extra social interaction. Make House Sparrows great again

Brilliant! Enrichment is important!! MHSGA!!!

[Phil01]

Tom, a very informative and well written post sir! So much great information! I was wondering how all you guys managed to get and keep your HOSPs around? I’ve been trying to attract them for several years with no luck. I guess like Martins, some HOSP landlords have to wait MANY years.
I have seen some old, run down houses out in the country with a bunch of nesting material hanging out the round holes.. I wonder if I could put and trap there and maybe relocate some over to my colony? Or is their site fidelity too strong? Thanks in advance.

MHSGA!!!
Phil

[C.C.Martins]

Hi Phil!!!

Well it was a collaborative effort to compile this information, Gary was instrumental...his sparrows have been thriving for years. I do understand he has to contend with vultures in his colony now and again.

Well I think if you follow some of the tips, and with perseverance, some luck, one or two may decide to settle in your housing! Safely trapping and relocating house sparrows to your area is a wonderful idea to jump start your colony! The trick (from what I understand) is to obtain the sparrows from 16.5 miles away. No closer, they do have some honed homing skills and will abandon sadly. So 16.5 miles out and your colony can have grass hanging and swaying from bulging house doors all the while knowing they are safely tucked in with eggs!
Phil, they will be well taken care of at your place im quite sure of that my friend!