 Breeding evidence |
 Relative abundance |
 Probability of observation |
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Click on plot to view table of mean abundance
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Number of squares
Long-term BBS trends
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-2.45 (-2.97 - -1.89)|
Mean abundance (number of birds detected per 5 min. point count) and percentage of squares occupied by region Bird Conservation Regions [abund. plot]
[%squares plot]
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Atlas Results
House Sparrows were commonly found in human-altered landscapes south of the boreal forest and were reported in 1,213 atlas squares. They are seldom seen far from human infrastructure and the probability of observation map highlights their avoidance of large areas of natural habitat, which is similar to that of the Rock Pigeon, another familiar synanthrope. Although House Sparrows were found in the Boreal Transition ecoregion, they were not observed in communities located in the boreal forest, with the exception of Creighton. Their close association with humans made breeding easy to confirm, and it was confirmed in 248 squares. Nest-building activity was observed as early as 3 March, with adults seen carrying insects to feed their young as late as 8 September.
Excerpts Adapted from the Birds of Saskatchewan:
The House Sparrow has an interesting, well-documented history, beginning with its release in New York City in 1850. In fewer than 100 years the bird colonized much of North America. Introduced into other countries as well, the House Sparrow is now considered the most ubiquitous avian species in the world, found as a permanent resident on every continent except Antarctica.
The House Sparrow depends on humans. An interesting exception is its presence during the warmer months at the nest sites of buteos, often remote from human habitation. It can be found in animal enclosures, near grain elevators and granaries, and at bird feeders in farmyards, villages, towns, and cities.
Although a common well established permanent resident in the settled south, the species is of sporadic occurrence in the north. It has an often tenuous foothold at some permanent settlements, including Beauval, Pelican Narrows, Jan Lake, Creighton, Uranium City, and Fond du Lac, but not in summer resort communities such as at Besnard and Candle Lakes. Although it continues to be numerous on most Christmas Bird Counts, numbers have declined at a rate of almost 4% per year 1981-2007.
Original text by Carol Blenkin. Text adapted by Daniel J. Sawatzky
Read more about the House Sparrow in the Birds of Saskatchewan here.
Recommended citation: Latremouille, L. M. 2025. House Sparrow in Latremouille, L. M., S. L. Van Wilgenburg, C. B. Jardine, D. Lepage, A. R. Couturier, D. Evans, D. Iles, and K. L. Drake (eds.). 2025. The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Saskatchewan, 2017-2021. Birds Canada. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan https://sk.birdatlas.ca/accounts/speciesaccount.jsp?sp=HOSP&lang=en [09 Nov 2025]
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