Do Sparrows Migrate?
Bird migration tends to happen on a seasonal basis. Generally, birds migrate twice a year from an area that doesn't provide them with enough nesting or food options. But do sparrows migrate?
Sparrows do migrate. However, it depends on the specific species of sparrows. Certain species of sparrows engage in long-distance migrations, while others commit very small migrations from one habitat to another. Additionally, some species of sparrows don't engage in migration at all.
The migration of sparrows is a broad topic covering many species. In this article, I’ll summarize the migratory behaviors of sparrows and answer the most critical questions of whether sparrows migrate, where they go, and when their migration occurs. Let’s get started!
Do All Sparrows Migrate?
When it comes to the migratory patterns of sparrows, it's essential to understand one thing; there are over a billion sparrows worldwide! Therefore, it's impossible for this many birds to have one particular migration method. It’s like wanting to understand the traveling patterns of all the people in one city — it would be impossible to measure and predict because most people’s situations and plans differ.
Therefore, while some species of sparrows migrate to the same exact locations at similar times, other species have different migration patterns depending on their areas and needs.
When we consider sparrows as a whole, we need to understand that we're looking at two different kinds of sparrows: the “Old World Sparrows” and the “New World” or “American Sparrows.” There are around 35 species of old world sparrows and over 138 new world sparrow species. Therefore, they all have varying migration patterns.
Not all sparrows migrate. Some species of sparrows migrate and other species don't. Additionally, certain sparrow species’ engage in small-scale migrations, whereas others migrate long distances.
For instance, most of the sparrow species in Canada migrate to some extent. On the other hand, house sparrows (the ones we see primarily in cities) generally don't engage in migration; they tend to move a few kilometers at most.
Ever wonder how do birds know to fly south? It's a fascinating question that deserved it's own article which we wrote here.
Which Sparrows Don’t Migrate?
While sparrows do migrate, there are many that don’t. As mentioned before, house sparrows are one of the main subcategories of sparrows that don’t tend to engage in large-scale migrations. Some house sparrows move from cities to rural areas; however, this level of migration is ordinarily short-scaled. Sometimes, these birds “migrate” a distance of only a few kilometers!
The reason why house sparrows don't feel the need to migrate as other sparrows do is because they tend to remain near human development. House sparrows rely on humans for survival purposes, as they require the food and nesting options that human settlements alone can provide.
Some species of white-crowned sparrows are relatively more sedentary; they tend to remain within certain coastal regions of California. However, other species of white-crowned sparrows tend to engage in some level of migration, even if they don't migrate large distances.
Migration is unnecessary for sparrows who are native to hotter regions already, such as locations in:
- South Asia
- Central America
- Africa
- South America
Other birds migrate to these regions to escape the cold and scarce resources. The birds already native to these lands benefit from these resources, so migration isn’t crucial.
When Do Sparrows Migrate?
Typically, birds migrate from colder regions and environments to hotter ones as the cooler months of fall and winter come around. While some birds begin their migration in July, others wait until the cold weather reduces food resources in fall or winter before taking on the journey.
Additionally, birds migrate away from areas where vegetation is adversely affected by climate and weather changes. Due to this, they move towards sites where they can find sufficient food resources. Therefore, when the weather becomes cold, it’s common to see birds make their way to warmer regions in order to survive.
Sparrows follow a migratory pattern, usually migrating to warmer regions when the weather gets cold. However, the ones native to North America tend to be early migrants; their migration towards southern states can begin as early as March, and towards colder regions, they start migrating in April.
The winter season increases the need for birds to migrate, and sparrows are not exempted from this; when this season comes around, with weather conditions unfavorable for crops and vegetation, certain species of sparrows tend to migrate to areas with better vegetation.
When it comes to migration there's a lot more to it than just flying south somewhere. This interesting article of ours called Bird Migration Facts covers all you need to know about this amazing thing called migration.
Where Do Sparrows Go for the Winter?
When the winter season comes near, birds have to migrate to other regions because their current locations experience a lack of food resources. Whereas some birds also migrate to escape the cold, others can tolerate the temperature but still migrate to hotter regions that can provide more options when it comes to food. Thus, many birds migrate in winter.
Sparrows go to warmer regions in the winter. Where exactly they go will differ depending on the exact species of sparrow and where they’re currently located. However, many sparrow species will migrate to the southern regions of the United States.
For instance, during winters, the chipping sparrows and the song sparrows tend to migrate either to the south of the United States, Mexico, or both. As for the golden-crowned sparrows, they move towards Baja California from Kodiak Island and the south of coastal Alaska in winter. The aim is to move towards regions with hotter temperatures and better vegetation so that the sparrows can find enough sustenance for the cold months of winter.
Which Sparrows Are Commonly Found in Cities?
While there are sparrows that migrate from region to region, there are also sparrows, such as the ones previously mentioned, that tend to stick to one area. The species of sparrows named before might sound unfamiliar; however, most people have seen and are familiar with at least one species of sparrows — the house sparrows.
House sparrows adapted quickly to existing with humans. Many house sparrows now don't migrate and stick to city life because they enjoy the food and nesting locations that human settlements provide them with. Finding house sparrows in your city isn't uncommon; most people find them in their backyards, even when they don't want to.
One of the main reasons why people find House Sparrows to be a nuisance is because they aren't usually native to that land and can negatively affect native habitats and species. They compete for the same nesting sites and food resources, and they're dangerous to adult birds; they’ll attack and can kill them for food and nests. These sparrows will even destroy their eggs and kill their young.
This is why many people have started using “Sparrow Spookers.” This device is put over a nestbox to prevent house sparrows from attacking the eggs and the birds' babies. Whereas house sparrows can still get in, this method of deterring them is very effective and one of the few methods that have proved highly successful.
How do they do it? How do birds fly long distances when it comes to migration? We take a look at how they accomplish this in this fascinating article of ours.
Do Sparrows Migrate?...Final Thoughts
Sparrows contain several bird species that have different migratory patterns and practices. While some sparrows migrate, others stay sedentary. Most sparrows migrate during the winter and move to hotter regions that provide more food resources.
For example, house sparrows are one of the few sparrow species that tend not to relocate or only undertake small-scale migrations. As a result, whether sparrows migrate depends on the specific species and the time of year.
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About the Author...
Richard Worden, a dedicated bird lover for over 20 years, I love to share my in-depth knowledge and passion for birds. Read more About Me and my expertise in this field.
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