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Oversized sparrow?

Anna33Anna33 Posts: 316
in Wildlife gardening
Is it possible for a sparrow to be a little on the...large....size? I keep seeing a bird in my garden that is definitely a sparrow, but it's about one and a half times the size of his chums.

At first I thought it was a different bird completely, but having seen it several times now, it's the same colouring as a male sparrow, hangs out with the other sparrows, acts like a sparrow in terms of flight/beak movement/eating habits etc. So it's definitely a sparrow.

Is it possible that they can grow to be much larger than normal? Is it likely to just be a trick of the eye and they are known to puff themselves up to look far bigger than normal? I'm so curious!

I don't have any photos of this bird annoyingly, as it's never around when my camera is, but I'm going to keep trying, and to try and get one of his chums in the photo for context. 
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Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    How large is large? Is it a big as a starling?
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Anna33Anna33 Posts: 316
    Not as big as a starling, and more rounded and fluffy than that. It's sparrow shaped, but 1.5 times the size of sparrow.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Evolution?  A chance mutation in its "size" genes?  Humans come in many shapes and sizes and, in the better nourished nations, are getting taller and heavier so why shouldn't sparrows?

    I spend quit a bit of time and money making sure our garden birds are well nourished thru winter and spring so that they can a) survive the cold weather; b) make healthier eggs to lay and fertilise; c) have easy energy sources for parents who can then go and find all the juicy insects they need for their young.  That has led to an increased population here so why not a bigger specimen? 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I don't think evolution works quite like that. It is a very gradual process, over 1000's of years, so you are very unlikely to suddenly see a single giant.
    Having said that, I can't think what it is you are seeing.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I know @punkdoc but I bet there's the odd "throw out" on the way like the first man to be over 6' when everyone else was around 5'and now the 7 footers who pop up occasionally.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Anna33Anna33 Posts: 316
    philippasmith2 said:

    Time for you to crouch in the shrubbery for hours on end to get a photo  ;)

    I think that's the only option!! :)
  • TenNTenN Posts: 184
    Might have fluffed up after a preen or maybe at this time of year he wants to impress a lady sparrow or see off a competitor. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think that it’s a puffed up sparrow too ... either because he’s trying to impress ‘his bird’ 😉 or he’s poorly and trying to keep warm. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    TBH - I did hesitate to suggest it was just a puffed up sparrow when the OP described it as male.

    I'd get me coat but it's warm enough out there for just a jumper now.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Mark-EMark-E Posts: 184
    We had one similar in our garden a week or so ago. I thought it might have puffed up due to it being a cold day.
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