The Java Sparrow is thought to have originated on the island locations of Java & Bali but is now widespread over Indonesia and South East Asia, its range now includes Sumatra, Malaysia, Philippines, China, Japan, Borneo, Christmas and Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean and also the Hawaiian Islands and there have even reports of a colony of this bird in a suburb in Miami, Florida, USA, also some areas of Africa are noted too!

It was formerly widespread and abundant, but its numbers have fallen dramatically in the wild, and it is now very difficult to find in East Java and Bali in particular. There is the belief in the conservation world that the main focus for the Normal wild type Java sparrow should be in the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali.

The Java Sparrow is originally a lowland species, ranging from 500 metres up to 1,500 metres. Many habitats, including towns, villages and cultivated land (particularly rice-growing areas), grassland, open woodland, tree savanna, beach forest and even mangroves. It is a bird that loves its own kind both inside and outside the breeding season.
They are not unlike the Budgerigar in that they will happily follow local food supplies to sustain their breeding and feeding requirements.
The Java has been under threat for maybe centuries because of local trapping and the growing cage-bird trade.
This cage-bird trade that has over the years become international, is felt by some as the main reason for the birds decline in the wild.
Locals even hunted the Java for their own consumption, maybe as it was classed as a pest to the locally grown rice crops made it an easier decision for locals to make at the time?

The Java Sparrow is currently listed on CITES Appendix II.

The Java Sparrow in the United Kingdom

The Java has always had a following in the UK, but recently all that has changed more is being written in avian publications and the bird is getting a bigger profile on the ever growing internet.
This society will be the next push in getting the recognition it truly deserves. It will be no surprise to those in the know that this great finch will grow and grow in popularity.

Quiet simply put WATCH THIS SPACE!!