behavior
Posted by Margaret Garver on January 12, 2006
Q: I have had a house sparrow take over my deck for the last month. He stays all day and calls and is very territorial. Nothing has disswayed him from my deck, even letting out my cat!!!!
Habitat: suburban/yard
State: Ohio
Habitat: suburban/yard
A: Oh, those pesky House Sparrows - they can really be a nuisance at times! The males begin staking out their nest sites in autumn for the following spring so your little guy has probably decided your deck is a good spot for a nest. House Sparrows prefer cavities for their nests but will also build anywhere they can cram in some nesting material. If there is an obvious nest site at or around your deck, it might help to remove or block it so your sparrows can't use. Other than that, I can't really think of what you might try. If you can dissuade your sparrows BEFORE they actually nest, you'll have a much better chance of getting them to leave permanently. Best of luck to you.
John Wiessinger ( January 12, 2006)