Immigrants from Europe may have missed that incessant, delightful "CHEEP" call they remembered from their homeland. In documents I have read, some believe they were brought here to enhance the lives of city dwellers of the time. There are a couple of rumors as to why the House Sparrow was brought to this country, but I could find no definitive citation. Such an excellent question! It makes one want to throw their hands up to the heavens and loudly proclaim, "Why?! Why?! Why?!" Why did they bring the English House Sparrow to the USA? If you have paired box stations, it is common for male to roost in one and female in the other if male has already attracted a mate. The bigger the pile, the more he has been in there over the past week(s) and the easier he is to trap. Open the box and look for House Sparrow feces: white, solid, about ΒΌ" long little curved cylinders. If he is near the box singing, he has probably claimed it. If he is in your nest box, he has claimed it. Also, due to the House Sparrow's affinity for pine trees, site your nest box as far from pines as you can. Block off alternative nesting sites where possible. Check wood siding for holes that they may be using or attic vents, etc. They can also nest behind signs and in crevices in buildings. House Sparrows often weave large open nests in pine trees. He may be declaring an alternative nest site if there is not a box nearby. He is declaring his find to a potential mate and declaring to his male friends to back off. If you hear a House Sparrow singing as you approach a nest box, he has almost certainly claimed it. This time of year especially, it is good to know your Sparrow droppings. They often claim a box long before they begin nest building. I start trapping them in mid February, checking my home and trail boxes for evidence that they have claimed a box. I am listening to beautiful bird song as I write this: the Eastern Bluebird's plaintive cry the Carolina Wren's playful banter and " CHEEP, CHEEP"! Oh no! A House Sparrow is declaring territory in my yard!
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