Most common among human-modified surroundings, this introduced species is abundant in suitable habitats and widespread across Canada. Populations are well monitored by the Breeding Bird Survey, which indicates a large and continuing decrease since 1970. The declines are worldwide, and are likely related to changes in farming practices (Lowther and Cink 2006); in urban areas House Sparrows are susceptible to predation by cats, and pesticides. National population goals have not been established for this or other introduced species.
Even though House Sparrow populations are decreasing, there is no conservation concern for this introduced and still abundant species, which sometimes competes with native species in Canada. The species was first introduced to North America in New York in the mid-1980s and then proliferated. Currently, population decreases are occurring throughout its range around the globe, and are thought to be the result of farming practices moving toward monoculture and intensively-managed crops (Lowther and Cink 2006) and changes in food availability through reductions in spilt or leftover seeds and grains (Crick et al. 2002). House Sparrows are one of the species identified as vulnerable to predation by cats (Blancher 2013).
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.
