First, check which sparrow you have
Not every sparrow at your feeder is a problem. The house sparrow is a non-native species that often flocks at feeders and can crowd out other birds. Many native sparrows, such as song, chipping and white-throated sparrows, are welcome visitors and are protected in the United States under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. House sparrows are not covered by that law, but the methods below do not harm any bird. They simply make your feeders less convenient for flocks of sparrows. A good field guide or the identification help from a birding organization can confirm what you are seeing: male house sparrows have a gray crown and black bib, and females are plain brown and buff.
Change the seed
House sparrows tend to favor inexpensive filler grains. These are commonly suggested to cut back or remove:
- white millet,
- cracked corn,
- milo (sorghum),
- wheat and other filler in cheap mixes.
Seeds that sparrows are said to take less readily include:
- safflower,
- nyjer (thistle),
- whole peanuts in the shell,
- suet with no seed added.
Black oil sunflower is a popular choice, though sparrows will eat it. If you are also dealing with squirrels, safflower is a useful overlap; see our guide on how to stop squirrels eating your bird food. Note that switching seed changes your visitors, so some birds that favor millet may go elsewhere.
Feeder styles sparrows struggle with
- Upside-down feeders. Suet feeders and some finch feeders make birds cling and feed upside down. Woodpeckers, nuthatches and goldfinches are comfortable doing this, while house sparrows usually are not.
- Short-perch or no-perch tubes. Without a roomy perch, a flock cannot settle in.
- Caged feeders. A cage with small openings can keep out larger birds, though it may also exclude birds you want.
- Fewer open trays. A large hopper or platform feeder gives sparrows a place to gather, so consider replacing or removing one if sparrows dominate.
Monofilament lines and halos
Project FeederWatch has described a “halo” baffle based on university research showing that clear hanging lines around feeders can put sparrows off. The idea is to suspend several lengths of monofilament fishing line from a frame or baffle above the feeder so they hang beside the ports, fairly close together. Commercial versions often called halos work the same way.
If you try this, keep the lines taut enough and highly visible, and check them often. Thin line can be hard for birds to see and could tangle a bird if it hangs loose, so use a design with a firm frame and remove it if you notice birds getting caught.
Reduce ground feeding and clean up
Sparrows forage on dropped seed. Sweep up hulls and spills often, or put a tray under the feeder. Using hulled seed produces less mess. Some people set up a distant sacrificial feeder with cheap seed to pull sparrows away, but it can also grow the flock, so watch whether it helps.
Portion and timing
Putting out only enough seed for a day or so makes it harder for a large flock to settle in. Some people also take feeders down for a week or two so a flock moves on, then restart with a different seed. Results vary.
Nest boxes
House sparrows often nest in birdhouses and can compete with native cavity nesters such as bluebirds and chickadees. If you have nest boxes, entrance hole size and placement matter. Because rules about handling nests and eggs differ by species and by local law, check guidance from a local wildlife agency or a birding organization before removing anything.
Smells and coffee grounds
You may read that sparrows dislike certain smells, and sprinkling coffee grounds around a feeder is sometimes suggested. There is little solid evidence that scents keep sparrows away, and coffee grounds are not a reliable deterrent. Avoid scattering large quantities near feeders where birds or pets could eat them.
What to avoid
- Sticky or toxic products, which can hurt birds.
- Netting around feeders, which can entangle birds.
- Anything intended to harm or kill. A humane approach combining seed, feeder style and clean-up usually works better anyway.