Urban sparrow population in Hong Kong ticks up to 227,000, survey shows

Hong Kong’s urban sparrow population has edged up slightly to an estimated 227,000 birds, according to the latest survey conducted by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, marking a year-on-year increase of 2.3 percent.

The survey found that sparrow numbers have remained broadly stable for eight consecutive years, fluctuating between 210,000 and 260,000 birds, indicating a generally steady population trend across the city.

More than 300 volunteers took part in the survey in May, surveying sparrow populations across six types of environments, including residential areas, parks, and rural villages.

The findings showed that Yuen Long recorded the highest concentration of sparrows, followed by Tuen Mun and Sha Tin.

When analyzed by land use, the largest number of sparrows was found in recreational and leisure areas, with an estimated 89,000 birds—accounting for nearly 40 percent of the total urban population. Residential areas ranked second, followed by rural areas.