English House Sparrows and Native Look-Alikes
Correct identification of HOSP
Is it an English House Sparrow otherwise known as HOSP? If you are pulling nests or trapping, it is important that you are sure. It is amazing how many times even the most common of birds is misidentified.
It’s important to note, that there are other birds that look VERY similar to HOSPs. Remember, Non-native HOSP will enter a cavity and destroy eggs, young and adult native birds. The only other similar sized bird that will destroy eggs is a native House Wren. 
House Wrens are smaller, have a long pointy beak(NOT a fat conical beak), tail often held upright(Not held down). They Have NO BLACK bib. They have a drab grayish- brown, belly. House Wrens are native and are protected.
English House Sparrow (HOSP)
Male HOSP
Male HOSP head shot
(NOTE: Males have a black, v-shaped bib on the breast under their beak and GRAY cap on the top of their head with chestnut below.)
Female HOSP
Female HOSP head shot
(NOTE: Females DO NOT have the black bib or the chestnut (reddish/brown) color on the sides of their heads. They do have a pale streak running back from their eye. They have a dull NON-streaked breast.)
Some birds that Look like hosp
Chipping Sparrow: Cap is chestnut (reddish-brown) NOT gray. NO BIB. Smaller in size than hosp. Will not harm birds or eggs. Does NOT nest in a cavity.
House Finch: Both male and female have a streaked breast. Notice reddish cast to head and chest of male. NO bib, no grey cap, no chestnut head.(Photo courtesy Terry Sohl of www.sdakotabirds.com)
Black Capped Chickadee: These birds DO nest in a nest box but DO NOT harm any eggs or birds. They are smaller than a HOSP. No chestnut (reddish-brown) markings. (Photo Courtesy Terry Sohl of www.sdakotabirds.com)
Many thanks to Bet Zimmerman from www.Sialis.org for HOSP and Chipping Sparrow photos. And thanks to Terry Sohl of www.sdakotabirds.com for photos of the chickadee and house finch.
Wood Ducks, Buffleheads, Northern Flickers, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Gila Woodpeckers, Acorn Woodpeckers, Great Crested Flycatchers, Tree Swallows, Eastern Bluebird and Purple Martins can all be killed due to a HOSP attack. By their sheer numbers and prolific nature they have single-handedly caused significant declines to many of these birds. If you really want to see what a HOSP can do, I STRONGLY suggest going to this link to view what happens to our beloved Martins and other native birds, when such a ubiquitous bird attacks. I will warn you that the images ARE GRAPHIC. >link to HOSP attack: 
