Sparrows top RSPB garden birds list

The house sparrow has topped a list of the most common garden birds, according to new figures.

According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), an average of 3.6 sparrows were seen per garden, perching them at the top of the league table.

It adds that the number of finches visiting UK gardens during the winter months is now at its highest level for more than five years.

The organisation explains that gardens can be very welcoming to finches, explaining that thistles and teasels provide food for the feathered creatures.

For the first time in the 29-year history of the RSPB survey, the siskin featured in the top 20.

It notes that almost 400,000 people counted more than six million birds throughout 228,000 gardens.

Those eager to encourage sparrows to take up residence in their garden may be happy to hear that online resource British Garden Birds notes that they will readily use nesting boxes if they are provided.