House Sparrow (English Sparrow)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Passeriformes, Family: Passeridae, Genus: Passer, Species: P. domesticus
Family: Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
- Shape
- Symmetrical vane, rounded tip, elongated soft structure
- Size
- Approximately 15 millimeters long, very small, consistent with a small passerine body or flank feather
- Rarity
- Very Common
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Description
A small, unassuming brownish-gray feather belonging to the House Sparrow, a hardy and adaptable passerine found almost everywhere humans live
Colour & Pattern
Muted grayish-brown tones with a slightly darker central rachis area, typical melanin-based coloration for a female or juvenile House Sparrow body feather
Barb Structure
Transition between pennaceous at the upper tip and plumulaceous at the base, loose barbs with reduced hooklets near the calamus
Texture & Surface
Soft, fluffy, and matte, lacking the rigid structure of a primary flight feather
Key Features
Tiny size, grayish-brown coloration, and fluffy semiplume structure typical of small urban perching birds
Habitat
Urban, suburban, and agricultural areas, heavily associated with human habitations and farms
Geographic Range
Widespread worldwide; native to Eurasia and parts of North Africa, successfully introduced to North America, South America, Australia, and southern Africa
Ecological Role
Serves as an important prey base for urban raptors and domestic cats, while consuming seeds and agricultural insects
Similar Species
Other small brown passerines such as the Eurasian Tree Sparrow or various sparrows in the family Passerellidae
Interesting Facts
House Sparrows dust-bathe frequently to help maintain feather condition and remove excess oils
Condition Notes
Fair to Good condition, intact structure with slight wear at the tip