Know about Sparrow Bird

...HAPPY SPARROW DAY...

Some Facts about Sparrow:

Sparrow is a species of birds that can be easily recognised because it lives very close to humans. This small bird originates from North Africa, but it has been successfully introduced to North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Sparrow, unlike many other birds, cannot be found in forests and deserts. It prefers life close to human settlements, including both urban and rural areas. Number of sparrows decreased dramatically in the last couple of years for unknown reason. Three quarters of sparrows disappeared from the London between 1994 and 2000. Due to fast decline in number of sparrows, this bird is listed as threatened (nearly endangered). 

Interesting Sparrow Facts:

1.             Size and body structure of sparrow bird is

o    Sparrow is a very small bird. It can reach 4 to 8 inches in length and 0.8 to 1.4 ounces in weight.

o    Males and females can be distinguished by the feather coloration: males have reddish backs and black bib, while females have brown backs with stripes.

o    Sparrow has stout body, covered with brown, black and white feathers. Its wings are rounded.

2.            What sparrows eat and why they adapted to the life in human settlements?

o    Sparrows are carnivores (meat-eaters) by nature, but they have changed their eating habits when they learned to live close to people. Sparrows primarily eat moths and other small insects, but they can also eat seed, berries and fruit.

o    They House Sparrows are very prolific parents and by late summer often dominate feeders of all types in great numbers and prevent the other small birds from accessing the feeders. House Sparrows eat mostly grains and seeds, as well as corn, oats, wheat, sorghum, grass seed, ragweed, buckwheat, millet, Milo and insects.

o    One of the reasons why sparrows adapted to the life in human settlements is constant supply of food. Sparrows easily learned to eat "served food" when people started to build bird feeders.

o    Sparrows are very social and they live in colonies called flocks.

3.            How speedy and high can sparrows fly?

o    Sparrows usually fly at the speed of 24 miles per hour. When needed (in the case of danger), they can accelerate to the speed of 31 miles per hour.

o    "As they cross the Tibetan-Qinghai Plateau, the birds typically range in altitude from 4,000 m [16,404 feet] to 5,500 m [18,044 feet], with the odd excursion to just over 6,000 m [19,685 feet]," Bishop said.

4.            How many sparrows are left in the world?

o    The population of house sparrows has declined by 20 million in the last 40 years, according to a new RSPB report. State of the UK's Birds 2012 estimated there are166 million nesting birds in the UK, compared with 210 million nesting birds in 1966.

5.            How are sparrows useful to humans?

o    Nestlings are primarily fed insects, some of which are beneficial and some harmful to humans. Adult house sparrows compete with native, insectivorous birds. Martins and bluebirds, in particular, have been crowded out by sparrows that drive them away and destroy their eggs and young.

6.            What does a sparrow symbolize?

o    A sparrow as a spirit animal may have different meanings. This small bird usuallysymbolizes joy and protection, but it can also be a symbol of simplicity and community. Team work and hard work are what make the sparrows productive.

7.            Why are sparrows needed?

o    If sparrows are not there, the population of birds of prey may also be affected. Apart from this, every constituent of an ecosystem is important from an ant to an elephant. We are eliminating species by species which are important links which make the web of life. Today it's these species which are getting extinct.

8.            What is the Lifespan of sparrow?

o    Sparrows can survive between 4 and 5 years in the wild.    

9.            Why sparrows are disappearing in India?

o  Sparrows have been companions of humans for centuries but are fast disappearing due to adverse human activities. One of the main reasons for the decline of house sparrows is the lack of nesting sites and food. In this way they become important stake holders in the conservation of house sparrows.

10.      Some random fact that you should know about sparrow bird:

o    Although sparrows do not belong to the group of water birds, they can swim very fast to escape from the predators.

o    Main predators of sparrows are dogs, cats, foxes and snakes. Young and inexperienced birds are the main target and easy meal for these carnivores.

o      Sparrows are not territorial animals, but they will aggressively protect their nest from other sparrows.

o    Sparrows usually build nest under the roofs, under bridges and in tree hollows.

o    Male is responsible for building of the nest. During construction, male will try to attract female. She can help in further building if she is interested in mating.

o    Sparrows are allegedly monogamous. Recent genetic analysis showed that only small percent of eggs contains DNA of both parents (in other words: both male and female are prone to infidelity).

o    Sparrows have several broods each year. Female lays 3 to 5 eggs. Incubation period lasts 12 to 15 days. Both parents take care of the eggs and chicks. Young birds are ready to leave the nest 15 days after birth.  

Know some more details about the sparrow like why we celebrate world's Sparrow day and history of it.

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