Table of Contents

1: TAXONOMY AND DISTRIBUTION
The Genus passer
The Origin of P. Domesticus
Passer domesticus
Distribution of the House Sparrow
Range Expansion in the House Sparrow
2: EVOLUTION AND GENETICS
Professor Bumpus and His Sparrows
Natural Selection in Introduced Sparrows
Genetics of the House Sparrow
3: ANNUAL CYCLE
The Gonadal Cycle
Circadian Rhythmicity
4: BREEDING BIOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGY
Age at First Reproduction
Mating System
Timing of Breeding
Nest Sites and Nests
Egg Laying and Clutch Size
Egg size and Composition
Incubation and Hatching
Nestling Growth and Survival
Number of Broods and Cessation of Breeding
Reproductive Lifespan
Captive Breeding
5: PLUMAGES AND MOLT
Plumage Description
Pterylosis
Molt
Ptilochronology
Plumage Maintenance
Incubation Patch
Badge Size in Males
6: FORAGING BEHAVIOR AND FOOD
Foraging Strategy of the House Sparrow
Diet of the House Sparrow
7: SOCIAL BEHAVIOR AND VOCALIZATIONS
Vocalizations
Displays
Communal Roosting
8: POPULATION DYNAMICS AND MOVEMENTS
Decline in House Sparrow Numbers
Predation
Parasitism and Disease
Interspecific Competition
Changes in Agricultural Practices
Survival Rates
The Sex Ratio Conundrum
Movements
Where Have All the Sparrows Gone?
9: ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Integrumentary System
Skeletal System
Muscular System
Nervous System
Endocrine System
Circulatory System
Respiratory System
Digestive System
Excretory System
Reproductive System
Body Mass and Composition
10: HUMAN COMMENSALISM AND PEST MANAGEMENT
Obligate Commensal?
Pest Status
Pest Management
Positive Impacts of Sparrows
Sociology of Sparrows
Appendix
Literature Cited
Index

About the Author

Ted R. Anderson is Emeritus Professor of Biology at McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois.

Reviews

"The author's knowledge of the house sparrow is extensive. He not only does a formidable job of summarizing the vast amounts of available information, but also highlights areas where data are still lacking."--The Quarterly Review of Biology Biology
"Remarkable book ... If you have any interest in the biology of this quintessential 'little brown bird', still an enigma in many ways, then Biology of the Ubiquitous House Sparrow is an absolute must."--IBIS
"Extensive in breadth and impressive in depth, is a welcome addition..."--Journal of Field Ornithology
"This book is as thorough a treatment of a single species as could be imaged. ... an ideal text for a graduate seminar." --CHOICE
"Remarkable book ... If you have any interest in the biology of this quintessential 'little brown bird', still an enigma in many ways, then Biology of the Ubiquitous House Sparrow is an absolute must."--IBIS
"Extensive in breadth and impressive in depth, is a welcome addition..."--Journal of Field Ornithology
"This book is as thorough a treatment of a single species as could be imaged. ... an ideal text for a graduate seminar." --CHOICE