Breeding in captivity of House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Full article

Published:

Volume 49(1), June 2002. Pages 11-17.

Language:

Spanish

Original title:

Cría en cautividad del Gorrión Común Passer domesticus

Keywords:

captivity breeding, House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, reproductive success

Abstract:

Captivity breeding can be an important tool in a scientific study, because it allows almost absolute control of those variables affecting individuals. The House Sparrow Passer domesticus is a very common bird, and its breeding in captivity can be of interest for many researchers. However, captivity breeding of House Sparrows is difficult and has been rarely successful. After one unsuccessful year (1999), in the next (2000) we achieved that one colony of House Sparrows reproduced successfully in captivity. The colony was in an aviary of 20.5 m3, with an initial density of 2.5 ind/m3. The successful year we used pup food and larvae of Diptera, together with seed mixture and rearing food, to feed the Sparrows. The use of mealworms during the 1999 breeding season was fruitless because they have toxins that are poisonous for nestlings and when used in abundance provoke their death. In the year 2000, there was an increase in almost all reproductive parameters like number of clutches, clutch size or percentage of clutches where at least one egg hatched. 38 nestlings left the nest in 2000 versus 0 in 1999. Reproductive parameters in 2000 (such as clutch size or incubation period) were similar to those found in natural conditions. Breeding season was longer and the number of clutches per nest was higher in captivity than in natural conditions. Other parameters (specially fledging and breeding success) were lower, they were at the bottom limit of those values found in natural conditions. We also detected cases of intraspecific brood parasitism and infanticide that are discussed.