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The books are listed in order of publication date with the most recent at the top.

Sparrows

UK sparrows

House Sparrow
Passer domesticus

Tree Sparrow
Passer montanus

Rare UK vagrants

Spanish Sparrow
Passer hispaniolensis

Rock Sparrow
Petronia petronia

Worldwide

There are approximately 40 species in the Passeridae family. This includes the old world or true sparrows, petronias, snowfinches and the rockfinch.

The American or new world sparrows are not related to the Passeridae. However a number of old world sparrows have been introduced in the Americas and other parts of the world.

For books about American sparrows see:

- American sparrows

International Studies On Sparrows, Volume 36

University of Zielona Gora

2012

Contents:

• Changes in the tree sparrow Passer montanus populations from urban parks - Ludwik Tomiajojc
• The use of nest, boxes by two species of Sparrows passer domesticus and P.montanus with opposite trends of abundance - Andrzej Wegrzynowicz
• What colour is that Sparrow? A case study: colour aberrations in the House Sparrow Passer domesticus - Hein van Grouw
• Importance of nest sites availability for abundance and changes in number of House and Tree Sparrow in Warsaw - Andrzej Wegrzynowicz
• Blue Tits Cyanistes caeruleus and Great Tits Parus major as urban habitat breeders - Jerzy Banbura, Miroslawa Barbura
• The breeding population of Rook Corvus frugilegus in major cities of Podlaskie voivodship - Adam Zbyryt, Michael Polakowski
• Seasonal changes in group size and foraging activity in an urban population of Magpies (Pica pica) - Leszek Jerzak, Olaf Ciebiera, Joerg Boehner
• Species composition of birds colliding with noise barriers in Biakystok - Adam Zbyryt, Anna Suchowolec, Rafael Siuchno
• Supplemental feeding of birds in human settlements of western Poland - Karolina Chosinska, Leszek Dudus, Zbigniew Jakubiec
• Meeting on the decline of the urban House Sparrow Passer domesticus: Newcastle 10-11 March 2011 - Jenny De Laet, Jackqueline Weir, Will Peach
• The scientific conference "Birds of the cities": Zielona Gora, Poland, 14, 16 September 2012 - Leszek Jerzak, Marcin Bochenski, Olaf Ciebiera

Spatial Distribution And Habitat Preferences Of The House Sparrow, Passer domesticus In Urbanised Landscapes

Lorna M. Shaw, Dan Chamberlain, Greg Conway & Mike Toms

British Trust for Ornithology

2011

"The House Sparrow Passer domesticus has declined in urban areas across Europe since the late 1970s and is now listed as a species of conservation concern. Recent research into the causes of decline suggests that breeding populations may be influenced by a number of urban habitat features. These include pollution levels, insect abundance, nest site availability and the presence of predators. Here we examine how the presence of certain features within the urban environment relates to the location of House Sparrow colonies. We do this by comparing the distance between actual nest sites and features of interest, with that between the same features and a series of randomly-generated points. We also test the preferences of House Sparrows for a number of habitat types by using compositional habitat analysis. We found that houses with gardens were strongly preferred to any other habitat type. Interestingly, in more rural areas, allotments and greenspace were found to provide useful alternatives to houses with gardens. Predators and roads were not avoided, something that may be a result of their ubiquitous nature rather than any lack of detrimental impact. Mitigation measures to prevent the loss of House Sparrow breeding colonies should, therefore, concentrate on the maintenance and enhancement of quality urban gardens and the resources they contain. This may be of particular importance in the most densely populated urban areas."

Sparrow

Kim Todd

Reaktion Books

2011

224 pages, 60 colour illustrations, 40 other illustrations

"In "Sparrow", award-winning science and natural history writer Kim Todd explores the complex history, biology and literary tradition of this bird that embodies the word 'common'. In literature, the New Testament claimed that not a sparrow falls without God noting it; the idea of the precious sparrow developed from Hamlet to twentieth-century gospel hymns; the bold, defiant sparrow appears in many folk and fairy tales. The author explores Old World sparrows, like the house sparrow, which can nest in a garage or in an airport, and New World sparrows, which often stake their claim to remote islands or meadows in the high Sierra. Todd looks at the nineteenth-century 'Sparrow War' in the USA - a battle over the sparrow's introduction - which set the stage for decades of discussions of invasive species. She examines the ways in which sparrows have taught us about evolution, and the recent decline of house sparrows in cities globally. This disappearance of a bird that seemed hardwired for success remains an ornithological mystery. With lush illustrations, ranging from early woodcuts and illustrated manuscripts to contemporary wildlife photography, this is the first book-length exploration of the natural and cultural history of this cheeky and ubiquitous bird."

International Studies On Sparrows, Volume 35

University of Zielona Gora

2011

Contents:

• Production of melanin-based plumage traits in male House Sparrows - Ian R.K. Stewart, David F. Westneat
• What a sparrow bib can reveal - Johannes Erritzoe
• Nesting sites of sympatrically breeding weavers: Ploceus capensis and P. velatus in mountain grasslands of southern Africa - Grzegorz Kopij
• Misapplied Ecology: Investigations of population decline in the House Sparrow - Christopher Paul Bell
• 8th Conference of the European Ornithologists' Union, 27-30 August 2011, Riga

International Studies On Sparrows, Volume 34

University of Zielona Gora

2010

Contents:

• In Memoriam of Frantisek Turcek
• Granivourous birds in ecosystems - Frantisek Turcek
• Social environment beak color in captive male House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) - Michael P. Lombardo, Patric A. Thorpe and Sheila Colpetzer
• Seasonality and sociality in Tree sparrows Passer montanus - Ferenc Monus and Zoltan Barta
• Tree Sparrows foraging elm seeds for more than a month - Johannes Erritzoe
• Nesting of tree sparrow Passer montanus in the nest of common buzzard Buteo buteo - Pawel Szymanski

International Studies On Sparrows, Volume 33

University of Zielona Gora

2009

Contents:

• Captivity affects sperm production, testes size, and beak color in House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) - Michael P. Lombardo and Patrick A. Thorpe
• Meeting on the decline of the urban House Sparrow Passer domesticus: Newcastle 2009 - Jenny De Laet, Denis Summers-Smith and John Mallord
• Conference on Sparrows 20-th March 2009, Pisa, Italy - Marco Dinetti
• Der Einfluss vom Winter 1978/1979 auf verschiedene Haussperlings-Populationen - C.J.Heij, C.W.Moeliker un S.Visser

International Studies On Sparrows, Volume 32

University of Zielona Gora

2007

Contents:

• History of the Working Group on Granivorous Birds Productivity Terrestrial Section of the International Biological Programme - Jan Pinowski
• Distribution, abundance and dynamics of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus in Berlin: a review - Joerg Boehner, Klaus Witt
• Nesting of Tree Sparrow Passer montanus in the nest of Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica - Pawel Czechowski
• Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus attacks Sparrows Passer sp. roosting in White Stork nests - Marcin Tobolka

On Sparrows and Man: A Love-Hate Relationship

J. Denis Summers-Smith

2006

"Of all the wild birds, none are more closely associated with man than the sparrows. In this book, his fifth on sparrows, Denis Summers-Smith sets out to explore this relationship from both sides: how the birds have exploited man and in his turn how much, and in many diverse ways, man has been affected by these birds that so obtrude on our lives."

Only 1500 copies of this book were printed. Includes colour plates and other illustrations.

The Biology of the Ubiquitous House Sparrow: From Genes to Populations

Ted R. Anderson

2006

"Is the House Sparrow a contemporary 'canary in the mine'? Other topics of broad interest include the reproductive and flock-foraging strategies of sparrows, and sexual selection and the function of the male badge in the species. Anderson also explores the role of the House Sparrow in disease transmission to humans and their domesticated animals."

Investigation into the causes of the decline of Starlings and House Sparrows in Great Britain

Humphrey Q. P. Crick, Robert A. Robinson, Graham F. Appleton, Nigel A. Clark & Angela D. Rickard

British Trust for Ornithology

2002

"The key aims were to: 1. Investigate the trends in breeding populations of Starlings and House Sparrows in Great Britain. 2. Examine the trends regionally and according to habitat, particularly in relation to urban, suburban and rural habitats. 3. Investigate variations in breeding success and recruitment, as well as winter and summer survival. 4. Investigate human influences, in particular an assessment of the scale and impact of control activity. 5. Identify likely causes of the declines in Starling and House Sparrow populations and place these within a whole population context

Finches & Sparrows

Peter Clement

Christopher Helm

1999

Reprinted in 2011

"This is a guide covers the 290 species of "true" finches and sparrows (the families Fringillidae, Carduelidae, Estrildidae and Passeridae). Full colour plates illustrate all the species, many races and most sex and age variations, with almost 950 portraits. Accompanying maps show breeding and wintering ranges. An introductory section gives an overview of the four families and the individual species text covers field identification, voice, geographical variation, habitat & range, migration, food, habits and description."

Finches & Sparrows

Peter Clement

Princeton University Press

1999

"Among the most familiar and colorful of birds, finches and sparrows occupy almost every type of habitat throughout the world - from the environs of the Dead Sea to agricultural lowlands to the tops of the Himalayas. However, no comprehensive single-volume treatment of these families has appeared until now. Finches and Sparrows, which combines nearly 950 color portraits with detailed descriptions of every species, is an easy-to-use identification guide for birdwatchers, conservationists, and ornithologists, who, along with cagebird enthusiasts, will find this book an invaluable reference. For the first time all 290 species in the families Fringillidae, Estrildidae, and Passeridae are described and illustrated in color. The color plates feature every species, many races, and most sex and age variations, and the line drawings accompanying the text depict wing patterns, bill and head shapes, and other plumage details. Over 280 color maps show breeding and wintering ranges for all species. Sections on voice, status, behavior, distribution, movements, and measurements, together with information on species encountered in captivity, help make this the most comprehensive and up-to-date guide on these birds."

The Sparrow and Related Groups of Granivorous Birds: Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution

V.V. Inavitsky

1998

A study of the biology, ecology and behaviour and 11 species of sparrows.

Tree Sparrow

J. Denis Summers-Smith

1995

"This book describes the species' origins and early spread, plus a speculative section on the evolution of the present distribution. The bulk of the book discusses the species' habits, breeding, movements, numbers and food, and is extensively illustrated throughout, with drawings by Robert Gillmor."

Finches & Sparrows

Peter Clement

Christopher Helm

1993

In Search Of Sparrows

J. Denis Summers-Smith

Poyser

1992

"The author's monograph The Sparrows was highly praised for its coverage and content. This new work tells the other, human, story of his work. In it, the author describes his work on sparrows that lead up to the monograph, including detailed and at times amusing descriptions of his travels in four continents."

The Sparrows: A Study Of The Genus Passer

J. Denis Summers-Smith

Poyser

1988

A guide to the 20 species of true Sparrows. Includes line drawings, colour plates and distribution maps.

Bird In My Hand

Loraine Hodgkinson

Whittet Books

1987

" The author found a tiny and half dead baby sparrow in her garden; with extraordinary effort, she took on the role of mother sparrow, and nursed him back to health. This is how she did it. Chris Mead has added a section on the natural life of the sparrow in the wild."

A symposium on the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) and European Tree Sparrow (P. montanus) in North America

S. C. Kendeigh

American Ornithologists' Union

1973

The House Sparrow

J. Denis Summers-Smith

1963

Part of the New Naturalist series (no. 19). 269 page study of the House Sparrow includes photos, sketches, maps and charts.

Bird Study, Volume 9, Issue 2

Main articles:

• Weights of Pink footed Geese in autumn - J. V. Beer & H. Boyd
• Difficulties in the ageing of the Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull - M. P. Harris
• Nightjar Enquiry, 1957–58 - J. Stafford
• Autumn sexual behaviour of the Tree Sparrow - Z. Pielowski & J. Pinowski
• Egg shell removal by the Black-headed Gull (Larus r. ridibundus L.) II. The effects of experience on the response to colour - N. Tinbergen, H. Kruuk & M. Paillette

Bird Study, Volume 3, Issue 4

Main articles:

• The Visual Observation of Night Migration - B. G. Tunmore
• Observations on the Redwing in Swedish Lapland - S. J. J. F. Davies & C. H. Fraser Rowell
• Further Notes on the Birds of the Blasket Islands - D. J. Munns
• The Wintering of Blackcaps in the British Isles - J. Stafford
• The Food of Nestling Jays and Magpies - D. F. Owen
• Mortality of the House Sparrow - D. Summers-Smith

Economic Status of the English Sparrow in the United States

E.R. Kalmbach

United States Department Of Agriculture

1940

The English Sparrow (Passer domesticus) In North America

Especially In Its Relations To Agriculture

Walter B. Barrows

US Department of Agriculture

Government Printing Office

1888

From the prefatory letter:

The English Sparrow question in North America has grown to be a serious problem in economic science, particularly so far as the agricultural interests of the country are concerned - and the term agriculture must be here understood in its broadest and most comprehensive sense as including the grain-growing industries, truck-gardening, fruit-growing, the cultivation of flowers and ornamental shrubs and vines, and even forestry. It was deemed proper, therefore, that this question should be made the subject of the first bulletin of the newly established Division of Economic Ornithology and Mammalogy. The information necessary to a complete understanding of the subject has been collected with great care; the evidence submitted has been honestly weighed, and the results impartially stated.