| English Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Also known as the common House Sparrow. Like pigeons, sparrows are a non-native species to the United States.
Sparrows were brought over from Great Britian as a means of controlling problems with Geometrid Moth caterpillars. During the mid-19th century, thousands of sparrows were introduced and were released in many cities across the U.S. It was soon discovered that sparrows preferred seeds, buds and flowers of young plants and would not readily eat insects.
Overly aggressive, sparrows take over bird feeders originally intended for song birds and often leave seeds on the ground uneaten attracting other pests such as rodents.
Since sparrows are cavity nesters, they are able to build nests for their young in virtually any small opening in and on buildings. Sparrows can also be found wherever grains and other seeds are stored. They feed on and destroy crops, spreading diseases and parasites.
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