The sparrow is one of the most common birds in North America, found in urban, suburban and agricultural areas. These are busy little birds, raising between two and four broods each season. The nesting season begins as early as February as they prepare for new arrivals. Males are very protective of nest sites.
Quick Turnaround
April through August is a busy time of year for the field sparrow. That's prime mating time for this bird, which begins with nesting. It's not unusual for sparrows to build several nests, as predators may steal the eggs or the sparrows abandon the nest for something better. The female will lay between two and five eggs, which take between 10 and 17 days to hatch. If the weather is not cooperating, the female sparrow may wait to begin incubating her eggs. It doesn't take long for the hatchlings to develop; they fledge about a week after hatching and begin to fly at around two weeks. During that time, Mom and Dad feed and protect their babies, who become independent about five weeks after hatching -- just in time for Mom to start the process again.
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