Why do House Sparrows Passer Domesticus chew Hop and Ligustrum leaves?
House Sparrows Passer domesticus like to chew leaves of Ligustrum or Privet – Wikipedia
but when given a choice they adults and even fledgelings (both females & males) prefer to to
chew fresh Hop leaves Humulus lupulus – Wikipedia
Male House Sparrows however tear thin strips of bark from one year old Hop
branches in spring and seem to chew on them as well.
There is no explanation for the sparrows’ behaviour yet nor is the effect of the chemicals
entering the sparrows’ bodies known yet.
![](https://www.radioactiverobins.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/a-House-Sparrow-Passer-domesticus-ad-male-with-HOP-skin-09052024-7169-OostvoorneThe-Netherlands-c-Norman-Deans-van-Swelm.jpg)
![](https://www.radioactiverobins.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/a-House-Sparrow-Passer-domesticus-ad-male-with-HOP-skin-09052024-7176-OostvoorneThe-Netherlands-c-Norman-Deans-van-Swelm-1024x610.jpg)
![](https://www.radioactiverobins.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/a-House-Sparrow-Passer-domesticus-ad-male-with-HOP-skin-collecting-more-09052024-7180-OostvoorneThe-Netherlands-c-Norman-Deans-van-Swelm.jpg)
![](https://www.radioactiverobins.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/a-House-Sparrow-Passer-domesticus-ad-male-with-HOP-skin-collecting-more-09052024-7182-OostvoorneThe-Netherlands-c-Norman-Deans-van-Swelm-1024x551.jpg)
![](https://www.radioactiverobins.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/a-House-Sparrow-Passer-domesticus-ad-male-with-HOP-skin-using-tongue-09052024-7164-OostvoorneThe-Netherlands-c-Norman-Deans-van-Swelm-1024x621.jpg)
![](https://www.radioactiverobins.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/a-House-Sparrow-Passer-domesticus-female-chewing-leaf-from-Hop-31082023-4454-OostvoorneThe-Netherlands-c-Norman-Deans-van-Swelm-1024x582.jpg)
![](https://www.radioactiverobins.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/a-House-Sparrow-Passer-domesticus-juv-chewing-Hop-leaf-31082023-4938-OostvoorneThe-Netherlands-c-Norman-Deans-van-Swelm-1024x571.jpg)
![](https://www.radioactiverobins.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/House-Sparrow-Passer-domesticus-male-chewing-leaf-07032010-8523-Berkel-RodenrijsThe-Netherlands-c-Norman-Deans-van-Swelm-1024x680.jpg)
![](https://www.radioactiverobins.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/House-Sparrow-Passer-domesticus-male-chewing-Ligustrum-leaf-07032010-8513-Berkel-RodenrijsThe-Netherlands-c-Norman-Deans-van-Swelm-1024x680.jpg)
![](https://www.radioactiverobins.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/House-Sparrow-Passer-domesticus-male-chewing-Ligustrum-leaf-07032010-8538-Berkel-RodenrijsThe-Netherlands-c-Norman-Deans-van-Swelm-1024x680.jpg)