For every animal. For a shared future.A nonprofit initiative
PanduanHewanKENALI · PEDULI · LINDUNGI
IDNeed help?

Birds · Sumatera · Java

Eurasian tree sparrow

A small bird with a chestnut crown and a black spot on each white cheek. Its proximity to people makes it easy to notice, but sighting records do not measure its population.

Updated Facts checked Passer montanusEditorial standards

Compiled from the listed sources with AI assistance. How we prepare and review content

Photograph of Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus).
(c) Radu Teodoreanu, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 · Image cropped for layout.

Quick answer

IUCN status: Least Concern

Eurasian tree sparrow at a glance

The Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus) is a bird in the family Passeridae. Range in Indonesia: Settlements and open land in parts of Indonesia. Diet: mainly seeds; also takes insects; a omnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

Quick facts: Eurasian tree sparrow
Scientific namePasser montanus
Indonesian nameBurung gereja
GroupBirds
FamilyPasseridae
Range in IndonesiaSettlements and open land in parts of Indonesia
Linked habitatsUrban Habitats
Field markChestnut crown; black spot on white cheek
FoodMainly seeds; also takes insects
NestProtected holes or cavities
IUCN statusLeast Concern · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026
Diet typeOmnivore (eats plants and animals) — mainly seeds, with a significant share of animal food such as insects · BirdLife DataZone
ReproductionLaying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)
ActiveDiurnal (active by day) · EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt
In this guide (11)
About this guideApproved by team on 2026-10-07. Approval covers this version’s narrative, facts, quick answers and recorded locations in both languages.

Useful field marks

The Eurasian tree sparrow shows a chestnut crown, dark throat and a clear black patch on each white cheek. Males and females look similar, while juveniles tend to be duller. Use the complete head pattern rather than brown colour alone; several small birds look alike at a distance.

Evidence: Cornell Lab — Eurasian Tree Sparrow identification ↗

Life near people

This species uses open spaces, gardens, farmland and built surroundings. It is often seen in small, noisy groups searching for food. A sighting on one street or in one yard does not mean every area offers the same food and nesting opportunities; local land cover matters.

Evidence: Cornell Lab — Eurasian Tree Sparrow identification ↗ · Cornell Lab — Eurasian Tree Sparrow life history ↗

Seeds, insects and nest sites

Cornell records seeds as an important food for tree sparrows; insects can also form part of the diet, especially when young are being raised. Nests may occupy cavities in trees or buildings. An adult near a house does not by itself prove an active nest; observe from a distance without opening cavities.

Evidence: Cornell Lab — Eurasian Tree Sparrow life history ↗ · NParks — birdwatching etiquette ↗

Distinguishing birds from records

A GBIF record documents a taxon at a place and time, through observation or specimen evidence. Record totals are not totals of unique birds: observer effort and possible repeat records need consideration. For a useful tree-sparrow record, retain the date, general location and cheek-and-crown photographs while keeping active nest locations private.

Evidence: GBIF — what occurrence records document ↗ · GBIF — sampling effort and occurrence counts ↗

Watching without disturbance

Watch from a distance that does not change the bird’s behaviour. Do not move eggs or young or provide unsuitable food. If birds occupy a cavity, leave its entrance clear. This guide does not assign a local conservation status; any such assessment needs a source with a clear region and date.

Evidence: NParks — birdwatching etiquette ↗

Explore related habitats

These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.

Urban Habitats →

Scientific classification of the Eurasian tree sparrow

Scientific classification from kingdom to species
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyPasseridae
GenusPasser
SpeciesPasser montanus

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).

Common questions about the Eurasian tree sparrow

What is the scientific name of the Eurasian tree sparrow?

The scientific name of the Eurasian tree sparrow is Passer montanus, in the family Passeridae and the order Passeriformes. In Indonesian it is called Burung gereja.

What kind of animal is the Eurasian tree sparrow?

The Eurasian tree sparrow is a bird in the family Passeridae. By diet it is a omnivore (eats plants and animals): a mainly seeds, with a significant share of animal food such as insects.

Where does the Eurasian tree sparrow live in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, this guide records the Eurasian tree sparrow in: Settlements and open land in parts of Indonesia.

Source-supported habitats: Urban Habitats.

What does the Eurasian tree sparrow eat?

Diet of the Eurasian tree sparrow: mainly seeds; also takes insects. That makes it a omnivore (eats plants and animals). Source: BirdLife DataZone.

How does the Eurasian tree sparrow reproduce?

The Eurasian tree sparrow reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).

Is the Eurasian tree sparrow nocturnal?

The cited source records the Eurasian tree sparrow as diurnal (active by day). Source: EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt.

See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.

What are the main features of the Eurasian tree sparrow?

Key features of the Eurasian tree sparrow, from this guide’s sources: Field mark: chestnut crown; black spot on white cheek.

What is the scientific classification of the Eurasian tree sparrow?

Scientific classification of the Eurasian tree sparrow: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family Passeridae, genus Passer, species Passer montanus.

Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

Is the Eurasian tree sparrow endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Eurasian tree sparrow is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Eurasian tree sparrow is a protected species, consult the current national list of protected species or contact the local BKSDA (natural resources conservation office).

Sources & references

  1. Cornell Lab — Eurasian Tree Sparrow identification ↗
  2. Cornell Lab — Eurasian Tree Sparrow life history ↗
  3. NParks — birdwatching etiquette ↗
  4. GBIF — what occurrence records document ↗
  5. GBIF — sampling effort and occurrence counts ↗
  6. BirdLife DataZone ↗
  7. Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
  8. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt ↗
  9. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
  10. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →

Cite this page

Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.

PanduanHewan. Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus). Last substantive update: 7 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/passer-montanus/

Permanent page link ↗