Photo: Francesco Veronesi from Italy / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Java Sparrow
Padda oryzivora
Java Sparrow (Padda oryzivora) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 16 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Java Sparrow (Padda oryzivora) is a member of the Estrildidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 24.8 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Estrildidae Waxbills, Munias & Allies
- Genus Padda
- Species oryzivora
Quick facts
- Weight
- 24.8 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Urban & human-modified
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Java Sparrow is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of farmland, parks and gardens, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Java Sparrow is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Java Sparrow (Padda oryzivora) is a member of the Estrildidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It is found across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Java (now rare); introduced widely.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 24.8 g, with a wing length of about 6.9 cm and a tail of around 5 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 100,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Java Sparrow?
The Java Sparrow is a small bird that weighs around 24.8 g.
Where does the Java Sparrow live?
The Java Sparrow is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Java (now rare); introduced widely, where it adapts readily to towns, parks and gardens.
What family does the Java Sparrow belong to?
The Java Sparrow (Padda oryzivora) belongs to the Estrildidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Java Sparrow eat?
The Java Sparrow is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Java Sparrow migrate?
The Java Sparrow is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Java Sparrow endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
How large is the Java Sparrow's range?
The Java Sparrow has a mapped global range of about 100,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Estrildidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.