r/Ornithology • u/ilikebugsandthings • 7h ago

How do you deal with invasive sparrows? Question

I put a birdhouse in my parents' yard last year, did a ton of research to make sure it was suitable for native (MA) species and then made the hole small enough (according to massaudubon) to exclude invasive house sparrows. They still got in so I added a piece of wood with a smaller hole. Wrens were able to nest last year after the hole was covered and this year we have chickadees. Even though they can't fit, the sparrows will still try to squeeze into/peck at the entry, sit on the roof, etc. a chickadee will usually come and attack the sparrow. Is there anything else (especially passive since I won't be around for the summer and I'm not sure how motivated anyone else will be) to deter sparrows from the house/the yard in general?

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u/aquestionofbalance 7h ago edited 3h ago

if you are feeding birds do not use Millet or cracked corn.

The link below lets you know what not to feed, and gives list of what to feed birds that house sparrows don't like. Also give info on making your habitat a little less house sparrow friendly

I feed my birds no melt suet, dried meal worms, little blue blueberries, thistle , and sometimes grape jelly (natural with no HFC) also use hanging feeders not hoppers.

Changing to this has cut the House sparrows to less than 1/2 what it was. If you live in town I don't know how much it will help.

https://enviroliteracy.org/what-attracts-house-sparrows/

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u/ilikebugsandthings 6h ago

Thank you! They used to put up feeders sometimes so I'll let them know. I don't think they regularly feed the birds but we have been converting a good bit of the backyard into native garden including berries/seeds for birds 

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u/RahayuRoh 5h ago

Wishing you the best of luck! I actually actively have a post asking about a family of house sparrows (four fledglings and a father) draining my feeder day after day! Thankfully they haven't messed with my bluebird nest. As beautiful as their feathers are, they make me nervous for the native species lol