Soon after the first house sparrows were released in Brooklyn, New York in 1850 folks realized this seemingly gentle bird was actually contributing to the demise of eastern bluebird populations across the country. When house sparrows and bluebirds competed for the same nesting cavity invariably, the house sparrow won out.
Later house sparrows earned the reputation of stealing food from a number of native birds. This behavior is known as kleptoparasitism.
If house sparrows frequent your seed feeders, it is only a matter of time before you will witness this bizarre behavior. Backyard feeder watchers have reported watching house sparrows plucking seeds from the bills of a number of species of birds including red-winged blackbirds, northern cardinals, and common grackles.
Away from our feeders, American robins are often the victims of this odd behavior. House sparrows are known to stand alongside American robins as they hunt a lawn for earthworms. As soon as a robin lunges forward and pulls a wriggling worm from the soil, the house sparrows swoop in, grab the prize, and fly away.
Others have actually seen house sparrows following robins carrying food to their nests. Once there they literally take food out of the mouths of the robins’ hungry nestlings.
It is amazing what you can see when you just take the time to watch.
If you have seen house sparrows or other birds practice kleptoparasitism, I would love for you to share your sighting with me.
I have a photo of H. Sparrows building nest on top of Bluebirds they have killed.
I have this happening in my yard right now, and for the last 2 weeks. The robin looks fat, maybe with eggs and the sparrow is always by its side. I live in the state of VA in the U.S.
Thanks for the report. I have never heard of such behavior. It makes we wonder if the sparrow is a female cowbird trying to locate the robin’s nest. If she finds it, she will probably lay her eggs in it.
Terry
I see this behavior every single day in my yard. The Robin gets the food and has it in her mouth, and then when she throws it down to try to kill the worm, the house sparrow swoops in and gets it. Or else 2 of them gang up on her when she’s at the nest. One of them pecks at her so she drops the food, and then the other grabs it. I love all animals but house sparrows are mean little sh*ts. I’ve told the house sparrows I have their number and I try to stand close by whenever this happens, but you know I can’t be around 24/7.
Margie,
I really enjoyed your post; I have never witnessed anything close to that behavior. You have broadened my knowledge of house sparrows.
I watched this behavior almost daily in Montana. The sparrow following the robin to steal a meal. Rarely successful but always within a few feet of the robin
Thank you for sharing your sighting. That would be something to see!