Appearance:

A featureless, bulky bunting. Larger than Yellowhammer, but with a shorter tail. Combination of size, build, flight-pattern and sound important for identification. Recalls the bigger larks in build. Takes off with a loose and surging flight, often with legs dangling underneath. Undulations particularly strong just before landing. Wings dark, and tail without white feathers or markings. "Tooth" in upper mandible visible at close range when singing. Bill and legs yellowish pink. Often shows an indistinct, dark breast patch.

Sound:

Song diagnostic. A brittle, jingling and accelerating phrase of about 2 seconds duration. Repeated in a monotonous manner, to form a typical soundscape of fields where it is numerous. Often compared to the sound of a chain of small keys. The phrase starts with a few staccato, ticking sounds that progress into a dry trill, followed by a short ritardando. Calls with a dry "chep" or a brittle "vitt".

Song:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

Appearance:

Male told from Tree Sparrow by grey crown, grey cheeks with no cheek-patch, larger black bib and grey rump. Female rather featureless, and thus not likely to be confused with Tree Sparrow. Confusion with female Scarlet Rosefinch possible, but underparts unstreaked. Profile of House Sparrow differs from Tree Sparrow by larger, less rounded head and less heavy bill.

Sound:

Most calls very similar to Tree Sparrow, but lacks said species' distinct high pitched call (chew-itt), and alarm call is less dry and raucous. Song a primitive, monosyllabic, or slightly disyllabic "chilp", hard to distinguish from Tree Sparrow.

Song:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Timo S., Licence,Link.