A sparrow is a small bird that lives all over the world. They belong to the finch family and are one of the most common birds in the world. Sparrows have brown-gray plumage with black and white stripes on the wings and tail. They usually live in groups and feed on seeds, grains and insects. Sparrows are important elements of the urban ecosystem, helping to control the insect population and spreading plant seeds. They also serve as a food source for many birds of prey and animals.