© 2026 Rentokil Initial plc and is subject to the conditions in the Legal Statement
Learn more about Rentokil Initial’s approach when it comes to dealing with pest birds
Pigeons and other nuisance birds are capable of transmitting a wide range of diseases and can be a source of secondary infestation by pests such as lice, mites and flies. Learn more below about common types of pest birds found across the country.
House sparrow
(Passer domesticus)
Appearance
- Less than 6" long.
- Males can be identified by the grey crown on their heads, and black throat ‘bib’.
- Females and young are mostly plain brown.
- Sparrows live for four to seven years, with up to five breeding seasons.
- The breeding season runs through Spring and Summer, and up to three broods of 4–6 eggs may be laid in this time.
- The same nest will tend to be used every year, resulting in a build up of nest debris, and insects associated with their nests.
- It is a pest to the food industry in particular because of the risk of contamination from their droppings and the damage done to packaged goods.