This was one of six pictures I took for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) in 2009, that made the PERMANENT gallery of the National Audubon Site. It is a male House Sparrow. These birds were imported from England to Central Park in New York City in the late 19th century, along with Starlings and Pigeons, in order to give Central Park a "European" flavor.....DISASTER!!!! These non-native birds soon took over ALL of North America SEVERELY damaging native species. American bluebirds ALMOST became extinct because of the combined pressure of THIS species added with Starlings. It wasn't until we designed special nest boxes that Only Native species can use that Bluebirds and other native birds made a comeback. I have a workshop set up where I get FREE wood scraps from construction and demolition sites and turn them into these nest boxes. I have built HUNDREDS of nest boxes and put them up, in many cases increasing the bluebird population by 150% or more in the areas I put them up in. It costs me about a 5 - 25 cents to build a nest box.... That being said, These are adorable birds, friendly, and VERY photogenic. Audubon chose this picture because of his adorable chibi-like appearance. These bitrds, along with Starlings and pigeons are NOT protected by law and can be trapped, shot, (Or even poisoned) to try to eliminate them. I have about 200 in my yard year-round. I photograph them a lot because they are so numerous and because they are so comical. Ironically, in the U.K. and Europe the number of these birds is rapidly decreasing now.