The Spanish sparrow, known in Maltese as il-għammiel tal-bejt, or better l-għasfur tal-bejt, is the most widespread breeding bird species in Malta. And although this bird is most commonly found in agricultural land and at the periphery of towns and villages, it can also often be found in urban areas.

The Spanish sparrow is a rather large sparrow, measuring 15 cm in length. The two sexes differ from each other. The male has a chestnut-brown crown, greyish-white cheeks, a black bib (throat and chest patch) and sides and flanks which are streaked black. On the other hand, the female and juvenile, which are usually undistinguishable from each other, do not have the brown crown and black bib. Instead they are dusky brownish grey below, dirty brown above and have a black-streaked back.

Although the Spanish sparrow often perches on trees and buildings, it mainly feeds on the ground. It may eat almost anything – grain, weed seeds, insects, refuse and food scraps put out by people.

The Spanish sparrow is a common bird, but it faces a diverse number of threats due to predation from domestic pets, changes in agricultural practices, pollution, disease and loss of invertebrates to feed its young. In Malta, the Spanish sparrow is protected and one should not disturb, kill or hunt them, or take their nests and eggs.

Should you require more information, please contact nature.requests@mepa.org.mt.

The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. Malta, together with many other countries around the globe, is carrying out a number of initiatives to celebrate life on earth and the value of biodiversity for our lives. We are all invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: biodiversity.