General

Java Sparrow: Largest member of the Estrildid family. Upperparts and breast are gray, belly is brown-gray to pink and undertail coverts are white. Head is black with large white cheek patch, narrow red eyering, and thick, cone-shaped pink bill. Tail is black. Sexes are similar. Juveniles have gray-buff upperparts and white to pale puff underparts. Dark gray crown, lighter gray cheeks and throat. Bill is black-brown.

Range and Habitat

Java Sparrow: Found year round on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii, common in urban areas. Prefers the grassy areas of parks and fields.

Breeding and Nesting

Java Sparrow: Three to eight white eggs are laid in a nest built under the eaves of buildings or in tree cavities. Both sexes incubate 13 to 15 days. Chicks fledge between 21 to 30 days after hatching. May breed year round.

Foraging and Feeding

Java Sparrow: Forages on the ground for seeds and insects and is easily attracted to backyard feeders which it tends to overwhelm. Often seen in large flocks in rice fields.

Readily Eats

Seeds

Vocalization

Java Sparrow: Song is a soft liquid warble "t'lik" or "ch'lik" often repeated and call is a metallic "pik-pik-pik" They also have a very aggressive growl when threatened "GRRRRRRRR!"

Similar Species

Java Sparrow: Not likely to be confused with any other species.