In North American, we’re all very familiar with the house sparrow. This bird is everywhere. And, it’s quite infamous among bluebirders, other bird hosts, and conservationists.
But in isolated areas of North America, particularly St. Louis and surrounding areas, lives another old world sparrow – the Eurasian tree sparrow.
The Eurasian tree sparrow looks very similar to a house sparrow, and they do belong to the same family. But there are subtle differences, such as a dot on the cheek. And they are smaller than house sparrows.
For those living in areas with Eurasian tree sparrows, people have wondered if they are a threat to bluelbirds – will Eurasian tree sparrows attack bluebirds in the nest box?
Eurasian tree sparrows attack bluebirds in nest boxes, even killing them. Observations are limited since Eurasian tree sparrow populations are isolated in small areas. But limited observations and video evidence shows they are a threat to bluebirds.
Fortunately, in the video posted, the female bluebird escapes. But this is after a 2-MINUTE ATTACK!
Just like with house sparrows, the Eurasian tree sparrow pins her down, pecks and bites her. As the bluebird tries to escape, the Eurasian tree sparrow goes after her, pulls her down and continues to attack.
If you look closely, the sparrow seems to attack the face, and near the eyes.
We have observed this kind of wound in a deceased female bluebird that was also attacked by a Eurasian tree sparrow (separate occasion and separate bluebird box).
[GRAPHIC VIDEO] Eurasian tree sparrow attacking bluebird
This is not for young children. This video is for educational purposes only, to clearly show a Eurasian tree sparrow attacking a bluebird in a nest box.
To confirm this is a Eurasian tree sparrow, look for the cheek dot, and notice the whole cap of the bird is brown. House sparrows would have a gray top section of the cap, with a brown ring just under.
The size difference between the bluebird and much smaller Eurasian tree sparrow is further evidence of the type of bird attacking.
Preventing Eurasian Tree Sparrow attacks
Tactics to prevent Eurasian tree sparrow attacks are much the same as house sparrows. However, at Nest Hollow, we believe in doubling up on discouragement tactics, as well as some other tips:
- Always use a sparrow spooker after the first native bird egg is laid in the nest.
- Pair a sparrow spooker with a wren guard. Make that nest box as uninviting and more difficult to access for other invading birds.
- Install a decoy box, and make this look attractive to house sparrows and Eurasian tree sparrows – put it near trees, or near the house. Don’t put any distracting things on the box like a sparrow spooker.
- Use your decoy box to trap and dispatch house sparrows and Eurasian tree sparrows (check with your state guidelines on this. Illinois protects Eurasian tree sparrows. Missouri, and several other states do not).
- Always carefully monitor your traps. Do not put a nest box trap out unless you’ve seen an invasive bird enter.
- Be sure to properly identify a house sparrow or Eurasian tree sparrow before dispatching a bird. You do not want to accidentally dispatch a native bird.
It is important to understand that methods of discouragement do not solve the problem. They only buy time. Trapping and euthanizing invasive birds, and pairing that with discouragement is the only way to truly protect your birds.
If you are managing bluebirds or other native cavity birds, you do not want to come home finding a dead or injured native bird. It is an awful feeling full of “would’ves and should’ves. Hosting native birds can be full of heartbreak and heavy work.
Eurasian Tree Sparrows fit in smaller holes
It’s very important to keep in mind that Eurasian tree sparrows are smaller than house sparrows, and can fit in a 1-1/8 inch hole.
What this means, is if you’re hosting chickadees, you’re going to have to be extra vigilant against Eurasian tree sparrows, if you have them in your area.
Legality of trapping and dispatching Eurasian tree sparrows
If you’re wondering if you can legally trap and dispatch Eurasian tree sparrows, that will depend on your state and local ordinances.
Eurasian tree sparrows are old world sparrows, just like house sparrows. No old world sparrow is protected by the MBTA. Therefore, there is no federal protection for these birds.
However, different states may have their own rules regarding this.
Illinois, in particular, explicitly does protect these birds. If you live in the area and are having a hard time managing, them, you might want to petition your conservation office to review the protective status.
After contacting the Missouri Department of Conservation directly, we were told that Eurasian tree sparrows are not protected in Missouri, and to make sure trapping is legal in our city.
Other states will vary. Some have information readily available online. But if you cannot find it, call your state’s conservation department to find out.
How to help injured bluebirds
If you’ve discovered an injured bluebird from an attack, the best thing you can do is to contact a local wildlife or bird rehabber.
If you don’t have a facility nearby, do not let that discourage you from calling. Many facilities have volunteers to help with transport. And these volunteers will drive more than a few hours to help rescue and injured bird.
Not all injured birds can be saved, and this may mean a rehabber will euthanize them in the end if the injuries are to severe. But this might be the more merciful approach.
And because bluebirds are federally protected North American birds, it would not be lawful for you to euthanize it yourself – unless a rehabber gave you explicit permission.
It is also not a good idea to attempt your own care toward injured birds.
As good as your intentions are, without the education, resources and proper training to rehabilitate an injured bird, your good intentions may have severe consquences.
In fact, rehabbers have reported this in the past, people trying to home-care for an injured animal, and once it gets to the rehabber, it’s in worse condition.
Just because Dawn dish soap is used to help ducks during oil spills doesn’t mean it will universally help other animals – rehabbers have gotten birds whose feathers are irritated, sticky, even falling out after soap has been applied.
To sum it all up, we now have evidence on record of Eurasian tree sparrow aggression toward bluebirds. This video is not the first case this year. This is just a small sample size – observations are so limited, which makes drawing conclusions very hard.
But you can see in the end that the mode of attack is similar to a house sparrow, and given the threat, it is better to manage them the same way you would a house sparrow.
