The House Sparrow

Scientific Profile & Taxonomy

The taxonomic classification of the House Sparrow identifies it as a highly adaptable survivor[cite: 1]:

The 12 Subspecies

There are twelve recognized subspecies of House Sparrow divided into two morphological groups[cite: 1]. The domesticus group birds are characterized by grey cheeks[cite: 1]. The indicus group birds feature white cheeks, bright colouration on the crown, a smaller bill, and a longer black bib[cite: 1].

Note: The subspecies bactrianus and parkini are unique because they migrate a lot, and they put on weight before migration[cite: 1]. Generally, other house sparrows do not move more than a few kilometres[cite: 1].

Identification & Global Ecology

• Male Appearance: Features a reddish-brown back that is richer than the female, a grey crown, black around the eye, a black bib, grey breast and cheeks, and a dark brown tail[cite: 1].
• Female & Young Appearance: Duller than the male, possessing a streak behind the eye and some grey on the breast and cheeks[cite: 1].
• Distribution in India: Found throughout the country till the Assam valley and the lower parts of south Assam hills[cite: 1]. In the Eastern Himalayas, the Eurasian tree sparrow is more prevalent[cite: 1]. Altitude wise, their presence is recorded till 1200m in Sikkim and up to 1000m in the hills of Peninsular India[cite: 1].

Ecological & Cultural Importance

The House Sparrow is vital for both the environment and mankind[cite: 1]. They prey on insects, avoiding attacks on other plants, and form a major part of the food chain for birds like magpies[cite: 1]. They also help scientists in studying general biological problems such as evolutionary mechanisms, temperature metabolism, and pest control[cite: 1].

Culturally, they have been in contact with human beings for over 10,000 years, originally being a part of every home and the culture of many religions[cite: 1]. They act as a green living component by utilizing our waste, such as cotton pieces, paper, and others[cite: 1].

Vocalizations and Communication

House sparrows possess a highly structured vocal repertoire[cite: 1]:

• Soft Chirping: A short and incessant call used as a contact call by flocking or resting birds, or by males to announce nest ownership and invite pairing[cite: 1].
• Shrill/Loud Chirping: Aggressive males produce a shrilled version transcribed as "chur-chur-r-r-it-it-it-it"[cite: 1]. Females use this in the breeding season to establish dominance over males[cite: 1].
• Nasal Alarm Call: Sounds like a 'quer' and is used during distress[cite: 1].
• Soft Quee: An appeasement call used to restrain aggression, generally between birds of a mated pair[cite: 1].

Nesting, Lifecycle & Diet

Being a social bird, they are friendly during feeding, settle communally, and form flocks with other bird types[cite: 1]. They generally make nests in groups and associate through dust and water bathing, and "social singing" where they call together in bushes[cite: 1].

The Nesting Architecture

The centre of their nests is made of coarse dried vegetation, with finer materials like string, feather, and paper used for the lining[cite: 1]. Nests are often placed next to each other and are re-used[cite: 1]. They generally do not make houses in tree holes; instead, they utilize holes of buildings, streetlights, and signs[cite: 1]. They fiercely compete for nest boxes and can put out other species like bluebirds and Tree Swallows[cite: 1].

Of the 1 to 8 eggs laid, about 1 to 4 survive and grow into broods[cite: 1]. The eggs are light white to greenish white or bluish white, usually spotted with gray or brown, measuring 0.8-0.9 inches (2-2.2 cm) long and 0.6-0.6 inches (1.4-1.6 cm) wide[cite: 1]. The time for nesting is 10-14 days[cite: 1]. Hatchlings emerge entirely naked with bright pink skin, eyes closed, and are often clumsy[cite: 1].

Mating Behavior

Sparrows can start breeding when they are only a few months old, though first-time breeders are rarely successful[cite: 1]. House Sparrows are monogamous, though males may sometimes have multiple mates (bigamy is mostly controlled by aggression between females)[cite: 1]. Mates who die during the nesting period get replaced quickly, and unpaired birds often serve as helpers around the nest to increase their chances of being chosen as replacements[cite: 1]. Paired House Sparrows can recognize each other away from the nest[cite: 1].

During the breeding season, a pre-mating dance occurs: the male moves up and down while drooping and shivering his wings, pushes up his head, raises and spreads his tail, and shows his bib[cite: 1]. Initially, a female will take on an aggressive posture, attack the male, and fly away, prompting the male (and often other males) to pursue her[cite: 1]. Ultimately, the female chooses her mate and gives a soft dee-dee-dee call, leading to copulation[cite: 1].

Dietary Patterns

Feeding takes place on the ground, where female House Sparrows are often dominant even in small groups[cite: 1]. Adults feed on seeds of grains and weeds, preferring oats and wheat, though they will eat almost any seed[cite: 1]. They consume grit—usually a stone or shells of eggs or snails—to digest hard seeds[cite: 1]. They also eat buds, berries, fruits (grapes and cherries), and insects like beetles and caterpillars[cite: 1]. They adapt easily and can perform bizarre tasks like going through house doors to kitchens to acquire food[cite: 1]. In urban areas, bread is frequently consumed[cite: 1].

A Population in Crisis

Despite their adaptability, survival rates are low. Only about 45-65% of adult House Sparrows survive, and only about 20-25% of young birds survive to their first breeding season[cite: 1]. They are frequently killed on roads[cite: 1].

• Predators: The main predators are cats, though they are also preyed upon by corvids, squirrels, humans, Accipiters, and the Merlin[cite: 1].
• Diseases: They are affected by bacterial pathogens common to humans, including Salmonella (common in spring and winter, leading to high deaths) and Escherichia coli[cite: 1]. They are also prone to avian pox, avian malaria, and external parasites[cite: 1].

Human Cruelty and Conservation

Their importance is often overshadowed by their labelling as an agricultural pest, leading to trapping, poisoning, shooting, nest destruction, and the blocking of nest holes with porcupine wire or glue[cite: 1]. Historically, they have been eaten in many places, with "sparrow pie" being a traditional dish associated with aphrodisiac properties[cite: 1]. They were also trapped as food for zoo animals and kept as pets[cite: 1].

To combat this, India took a commendable step by naming the House Sparrow the State Bird of Delhi[cite: 1]. Furthermore, World Sparrow Day has been celebrated on 20 March across the world since 2010 to appeal for its conservation[cite: 1].

Field Guide & Conservation Activities

Linguistic Mapping of India

Identify the local names of the House Sparrow across different Indian regions and languages[cite: 1]:

How to Cook a Bird Cake

Required Materials: Good quality bird seed, raisins, peanuts, grated cheese, suet or lard, waste paper cup, string, mixing bowl, scissors[cite: 1].

1. Carefully make a small hole in the bottom of a waste paper cup, thread string through, and tie a knot on the inside (leave enough string to tie it to a tree or bird table)[cite: 1].
2. Allow the lard to warm up to room temperature (don't melt it), cut it into small pieces, and put it in the mixing bowl[cite: 1].
3. Add the other ingredients to the bowl and mix them together with your fingertips, adding the seed/raisin/cheese mixture and squidging it until the fat holds it all together[cite: 1].
4. Fill your cups with the bird cake mixture and put them in the fridge to set for an hour or so[cite: 1].
5. Hang your speedy bird cakes from trees or your bird table and watch for greenfinches, tits, and possibly even great spotted woodpeckers[cite: 1].