The Eurasian Tree Sparrow lives throughout Europe and Asia, and is also
found in North America (St. Louis, MO area, USA). Like its relative, the
House Sparrow (Passer Domesticus), it enjoys association with humankind.
Its scientific name comes from the Latin for sparrow (Passer), as
recorded by Pliny, and montanus (of mountains), though its habitation
of high places tends to be tall buildings, such as places of worship, rather
than natural heights!
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is thought to be the little bird of many Bible
passages (Hebrew zippor, Greek struthion) [Bible Animals/Rev.
J. G. Wood (Charles Scribner & Co., New York), 1870].
For a bird of such a sociable species to be alone on a rooftop provides
a vivid image of the lonely watcher. Humble members of the bird world, they
are said in Scripture to find their home in the house of God.
