Sparrows are everywhere, but individual sparrows live fairly short lives on average — a familiar pattern among small birds with dangerous first years.
The average sparrow lifespan
Most sparrows live only about 3 years on average. High first-year mortality is the main reason: young sparrows face predators, weather, disease and other hazards, and many do not make it to their first birthday, pulling the average down.
Survivors can live longer
A sparrow that survives its first year can live 5 to 7 years, and a few reach further. The oldest recorded wild house sparrow lived to around 13 years, showing that these small birds can live a surprisingly long time once past the early dangers.
What affects a sparrow's lifespan
Predators (especially cats), harsh weather, disease and window collisions are the main dangers. A steady supply of seed, water and dense shrubby cover for shelter and nesting helps local sparrows survive, though house sparrows are so adaptable that they thrive almost anywhere people live.