# 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.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/passer-montanus/ · Updated 7 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/passer-montanus/
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**Review status:** Approved by team on 2026-10-07. Approval covers this version’s narrative, facts, quick answers and recorded locations in both languages.

## Quick answer

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.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Passer montanus* |
| Indonesian name | Burung gereja |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Passeridae |
| Range in Indonesia | Settlements and open land in parts of Indonesia |
| Linked habitats | [Urban Habitats](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/urban/) |
| Field mark | Chestnut crown; black spot on white cheek |
| Food | Mainly seeds; also takes insects |
| Nest | Protected holes or cavities |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/5231198) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Omnivore (eats plants and animals) — mainly seeds, with a significant share of animal food such as insects · [BirdLife DataZone](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/eurasian-tree-sparrow-passer-montanus) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt) |

## 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](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eurasian_Tree_Sparrow/id)

## 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](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eurasian_Tree_Sparrow/id) · [Cornell Lab — Eurasian Tree Sparrow life history](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eurasian_Tree_Sparrow/lifehistory)

## 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](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eurasian_Tree_Sparrow/lifehistory) · [NParks — birdwatching etiquette](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/visit/activities/birdwatching)

## 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](https://www.gbif.org/data-quality-requirements-occurrences) · [GBIF — sampling effort and occurrence counts](https://data-blog.gbif.org/post/exploring-es50-for-gbif/)

## 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](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/visit/activities/birdwatching)

## Scientific classification of the Eurasian tree sparrow

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Passeridae |
| Genus | *Passer* |
| Species | *Passer montanus* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## 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](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/urban/).

### 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](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/eurasian-tree-sparrow-passer-montanus).

### How does the Eurasian tree sparrow reproduce?

The Eurasian tree sparrow reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352).

### 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](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### 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](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), 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)](https://www.gbif.org/species/5231198), 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](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [Cornell Lab — Eurasian Tree Sparrow identification](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eurasian_Tree_Sparrow/id)
2. [Cornell Lab — Eurasian Tree Sparrow life history](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eurasian_Tree_Sparrow/lifehistory)
3. [NParks — birdwatching etiquette](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/visit/activities/birdwatching)
4. [GBIF — what occurrence records document](https://www.gbif.org/data-quality-requirements-occurrences)
5. [GBIF — sampling effort and occurrence counts](https://data-blog.gbif.org/post/exploring-es50-for-gbif/)
6. [BirdLife DataZone](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/eurasian-tree-sparrow-passer-montanus)
7. [Vigie-Nature École (MNHN)](https://www.vigienature-ecole.fr/en/node/352)
8. [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/BirdFuncDat.txt)
9. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Yellow-vented bulbul](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/pycnonotus-goiavier/)
- [Urban Habitats](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/urban/)
- [Spotted dove](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/spilopelia-chinensis/)
- [Pacific swallow](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hirundo-javanica/)
- [Collared kingfisher](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/todiramphus-chloris/)
- [Oriental magpie-robin](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/oriental-magpie-robin/)
- [Barn owl](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/barn-owl/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Eurasian tree sparrow. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/passer-montanus/