Mature males are also characterized by their black bib. The house sparrow is common throughout the state, but is most abundant near people and their structures. In some situations house sparrow populations can reach true pest proportions. The young are fed on insects until they are almost full grown. Young birds are often seen following and begging for food from their parents for up to two weeks after they leave the nest.
Adults primarily feed on seeds and grain.
They will also feed on grain products such as bread crumbs and livestock feed. The willingness of the house sparrow to feed close to people can cause problems at picnic shelters and outdoor restaurants. The nest of the house sparrow is an untidy mass of dried grass, leaves, pine straw, string, paper, and feathers. The nests are usually built in bird houses, soffits and attics, behind signs, behind or above pipes and ductwork entering buildings, in crevices into wall voids, behind shake siding, in or on the rafters of large buildings like warehouses, barns and livestock buildings and in the forks of branchy trees. House sparrows can breed year-round in Florida, but most clutches are laid between March and September.