Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus): Sparrows are so common that there is really no need to describe them, says M.W.F. Tweedie in his book, Common Birds of the Malay Peninsula. They can be seen nearly every day hopping on the ground and pecking at grass seeds and scraps of food near houses. The species ranges from Europe and Asia to Sumatra and Java, introduced to Borneo, Australia and America.