 Sparrow, sparrows are a family of small passerine birds. They are also known as true sparrows, or old-world sparrows. Names also used for a particular genus of the family, passer. They are distinct from both the American sparrows, in the family Passerality, and from a few other birds sharing their name, such as the Javasparrow of the family Passerality. Many species nest on buildings and the house and Eurasian tree sparrows, in particular, in habit cities in large numbers, so sparrows are among the most familiar of all wild birds. They are primarily seededers, though they also consume small insects. Some species scavenge for food around cities and, like gulls or rock-duds will happily eat virtually anything in small quantities.