House finches...

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01-07-2010, 11:18 AM

#11

Winger

Fork Horn

Join Date: Feb 2003

Location: Rural Town Oklahoma USA

Posts: 139

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnyguy

Neither House Finches or House Sparrows pose a problem at bird feeders. At least no worse than any other songbird. Both the House Finch and House Sparrow are protected as they are songbirds. If you can afford hunting equipment, I suggest you spend a couple of bucks on a good bird identification book before you go blasting away. My guess you have English Sparrows which are an invasive species and not protected in most states. Most people cannot tell the difference between a House Finch and a Purple Finch in the winter. The House Sparrow looks nothing like a House Finch. The House Sparrow looks completely different from the English Sparrow. I hope you do a better job of indentifying what you shoot at when you hunt!

I don't know what you are referring to in reference to House Sparrows and English Sparrows, as they are the same thing. The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is an invasive species and was introduced in the northeast US in the 1850's. It is often referred to as the English Sparrow, though House Sparrow is the correct identifying name.

Along with starlings, they are very aggressive when it comes to nesting cavities. Don't know about other states, but they are not protected in Oklahoma.

01-08-2010, 02:39 PM

#12

Zrabfan26

Fork Horn

Join Date: Dec 2008

Location: SE, Pennsylvania

Posts: 174

House sparrows are not protected hear in PA, farrow species same as starlings. I would imagine they wouldn't be protected anywhere in the US for the same reason, non native species. I don't hesitate shooting one when they interfere with my bluebird boxes. Definitly a problem with bluebirds. The finches would be protected, but if your talking about a songbird rival your probly talking about the house/english sparrow.

01-09-2010, 04:18 AM

#13

cnyguy

Spike

Join Date: Feb 2004

Location: Owego, NY

Posts: 61

I stand corrected on the House sparrow. I was thinking of the Tree sparrow which is a welcome bird at my feeder. Either way, the guy needs to by a bird identification book. I shoot every English/House sparrow I get a chance to. I had a flock of starlings show up this week, once they saw a couple of their buddies get whacked they haven't been back.