If any bird has been more reviled than the House Sparrow I cannot think what it is.
Here is what the great nineteenth century ornithologist and taxonomist, Elliott Coues said about it, "Feathered tramp, intruder, pestilent breeder, foreigner, rowdy little vermin, wretched interloper, parasite, hoodlum, garbage eater." And this about a bird deliberately introduced into North America by "enlightened" European immigrants. Among others, Eugene Schief of the American Acclimatization Society, wanted to introduce every bird mentioned in the plays of Shakespeare. Most died out quickly, unable to withstand our harsh winters, but some survived and prospered, including the House Sparrow. Population estimates for North America vary, but a minimum of 100 million seems to be generally accepted.
It is without question a threat to other cavity- nesting birds, being aggressive in securing the best home to lay its eggs and raise its young, qualities in humans we would greet with admiration, it seems to me. Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) have been especially affected by competition from House Sparrows, and in rare instances the House Sparrow will kill a bluebird sitting on eggs.
Happily, humans have sprung into action to save the bluebird and nest boxes may be found across the continent. These boxes are closely monitored and sparrows are evicted as soon as their presence is detected. Some bluebird enthusiasts euthanize the sparrows and seem to take particular delight in chronicling their methods. The euphemism "cervical dislocation" seems to be in vogue as a genteel way of saying they broke the bird's neck. If you can hold a bird in your hand and deliberately kill it you have a far stronger stomach than I.
In fact, on two occasions they have bred in my backyard and we appreciated their cheery song, their friendly twittering and their dedication to their brood.
It was always fun to watch the boisterous, demanding young chivvy parents for food.
In the picture above mom seems totally fed up with them!
Here is poppa sharing in the feeding duties.
Both sexes take part in incubation and food delivery while the young are still in the nest. It really is a family affair.
If you harbour ill will towards a House Sparrow give a thought to the insect pests it consumes. A House Sparrow family can have a major impact on the population of aphids, weevils, grasshoppers and caterpillars in your garden.
So let's stop assigning human value judgements to sparrows - to all animals in fact - and enjoy their presence on their terms.
I am sure you will come to love them, too.
I am delighted whenever a sparrow appears at our bird feeders. They are very beneficial and sociable birds, and having them in the garden brings a great deal of joy. Unfortunately, their numbers in my country have been declining significantly in recent years. I have no idea why this is happening.
ReplyDeleteSending autumnal greetings and wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Dear David,
ReplyDeleteYour post made me smile, but some parts also made me very sad. It is remarkable how differently the same bird is regarded on opposite sides of the Atlantic.
Here in Germany, House Sparrow populations have declined considerably, and I am always delighted to see so many of them in my garden. They nest under the roof of our house, and their cheerful chirping is part of everyday life here.
I particularly love watching the youngsters racing through the bushes in noisy little groups. They are such lively, entertaining birds, and I cannot imagine my garden without them.
At the moment, I provide them with black soldier fly larvae and a mixture of seeds, which they seem to appreciate very much.
I understand that House Sparrows can cause problems for native cavity-nesting birds in North America. Nevertheless, I find the deliberate killing of these little creatures deeply upsetting. After all, it was humans who introduced them in the first place.
I especially agree with your final thought. Animals do not deserve our moral judgements simply because their natural behaviour sometimes conflicts with human interests.
Thank you for speaking up for a bird that is so often overlooked or unfairly disliked. In my garden, the sparrows are very welcome residents!
Warm greetings from Germany,
Anette
I shall issue a notice to all the sparrows to head for your garden, Anette!
DeleteI don’t have House Sparrows here, David, and unfortunately, the numbers of these cute birds have declined here in Norway as well.
ReplyDeleteI have a great many *Passer montanus* [Eurasian Tree Sparrows] here, and that makes me happy.
Hugs and kisses, Marit
In many Asian cities Passer montanus has replaced Passer domesticus as a city bird.
DeleteWe used to have House Sparrows in our yard but it has now been several years since I've seen one there. The Eastern Bluebirds or (more likely) Carolina Chickadees can now use the nest boxes we provide without interference.
ReplyDeletePoor little sparrows brought to a continent that was not its native habitat and then despised by so many. I love their singing ability. So cheery and the mad behaviour of their chicks in their greed. Interesting what your commenters said about the declines elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI welcome all birds. The survival of the fittest always.
XO
WWW
I didn't know they could be this aggressive..still love them anyway!
ReplyDeleteI have no ill will whatsoever against sparrows.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteCheeky and cheerful, I have seen them the world over... and always enjoy their antics! YAM xx
Lovely post and photographs of the House Sparrow.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I have often wondered why so many birds and animals had to be introduced to different countries. The impact on wildlife in each area suffered as a result.
ReplyDeleteI do love house sparrows though, because I love all birds and animals, despite where they find themselves.
Loved the disgusted momma pic:) It's too bad, but I think part of what is held against them is that they aren't as pretty or exotic looking as some other birds. But I defy any bird to out sing them:) Have a grand weekend, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI have no ill will toward them. Interesting to read about them. I wasn't aware they could be so aggressive.
ReplyDeleteAh, the beloved sparrows—we have so many of them here in Greece, too!!
ReplyDeleteHow could anyone not like birds?
They are wonderful, they make our lives more beautiful!!
Thank you for this wonderful article, David!
Kiitos David, kun kerroit talovarpusista. Tuttu lintu! Tosin ne ovat Suomessa vähentyneet valtavasti. Toreilla niitä joskus näkee, mutta eipä muuten. Syynä lienee maatilojen vähentyminen maaseudulla, varpunen on paikkalintu. Pikkuvarpuset Passer montanussen sijaan ovat lisääntyneet varpusen Passer domesticus kustannuksella.
ReplyDeleteViehättävä kuva, jossa varpusisä syötti poikasiaan, kun äiti ei enää jaksanut. Olen nähnyt isojen variksenpoikien kerjäävän ruokaa emoltaan, joka on ihan kyllästynyt ruokkimiseen ja vaatimiseen.
The photo of both parents sharing the feeding duties is another favorite of mine.
ReplyDeleteI think they are quite cute. At our local cafe on the hill there are heaps and they have nests under the roof. They jump on the crumbs left on the plates. I cant imagen people doing something to them. We dont have them in our garden just a family of blackbirds
ReplyDeleteBlackbird is another European species brought to New Zealand by witless people.
DeleteHello David,
ReplyDeleteHere in the Netherlands, the house sparrow is on the 'red list', there are far fewer of them than in previous years.
Two years ago, I used to get many sparrows on my balcony, they would come by for a treat, and the parents would even feed their chicks right there on my balcony, it was truly delightful.
For a whole year now, I haven’t seen a single sparrow, it’s such a shame.
I wish you a wonderful weekend.
All the best, Irma
Yes, I know they are in decline throughout Europe, catastrophically in places.
DeleteThey are so cute ! Love to see them around my house...
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures as always David !
Toujours un plaisir de visiter ton blog !
Bises et bon weekend !
Anna
Me encanta la entrada David. Me gusta verlos. Al huerto van, saben que encuentran comida 😊Y también hemos tenido alguno criando allí.
ReplyDeleteTe deseo un buen fin de semana.
Un abrazo.
The house sparrow was introduced here too in the mid 1800's. I often see them on the fence and flying past, on the roof whistling. Some years we seem to have hardly any, then others years they seem to return.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fantastic photos. The text is perfect.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I counted twenty sparrows happily chirping away in my garden! I agree with the last sentence of your post. Have a pleasant weekend, David!
ReplyDeleteInteresting piece of history you give us about the humble House Sparrow David. I'm pleased to report we have a resident flock of up to 30 birds in and around our urban garden, offering us endless entertainment with their antics, despite the words of nonsense from the silly Mr Elliott Coues.
ReplyDeleteRegards....Pete.
Now that told him!
DeleteI know about house sparrows and bluebirds, but I still like house sparrows. However, as cool as they are with the murmurations, starlings drive me nuts because of how they call each other together and go through all my bird food. What was cool was on my latest travels I stood and had a flock of starlings fly around me. Now that is good vision and other senses. Have a super weekend.
ReplyDeleteSparrow numbers are in decline in UK. I miss them.
ReplyDeleteIf I hated sparrows, I'm not sure I'd have any birds to love at my feeders. Oh, a few. But they're reliable customers and they always bring their friends!
ReplyDeleteKeep enjoying them, Jeanie.
DeleteI acquired a bluebird nesting box decades ago, nailed it to the house under the eave and sparrows promptly moved in. I was fine with that.
ReplyDeleteAn army of sparrows.
ReplyDeleteSince I never knew sparrows had such a bad rap, I have no problem with the rehabilitation of their image.
ReplyDeleteDear David, I’ve always found sparrows quite cute—many of them visit the feeding stations in our garden. (In Vienna, by contrast, city pigeons were—and still are—often considered a nuisance.)
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure if you’re familiar with the true story from China: between 1958 and 1961, Mao Zedong initiated an "extermination and hygiene campaign" targeting rats, houseflies, mosquitoes, and sparrows.
The killing of the birds allowed vermin to multiply unchecked and infest the fields, leading to a massive famine in which an estimated 20 to 55 million people died. It’s yet another example of decision-makers failing to think holistically or consider the potential consequences of their actions. (Much like how, all too often, little thought was given to the implications of introducing various animals and plants into other countries...)
Thank you so much for your comment on my blog! Oh, and it’s really not as daring as it might sound. In Japan’s larger cities, there are actually plenty of information signs that we can read. So, the risk wasn’t all that great. And as for my electronic devices: sure, the whole situation was unpleasant, but I’ve been traveling since I was a very young woman—first with a friend, and later on my own. And back then, as you know, there were no mobile phones or anything like that. We’ve become far too dependent on all this electronic gear; but those of us born before 1980 at least experienced a youth that didn’t rely on computers, mobile phones, and the like. I’m very glad to belong to this generation.
Hugs & all the best from Austria to you and Miriam 🤗
Traude
Yes, I am very familiar with the campaign in China, Traude. The cruelest thing of all in that pogrom was the fact of creating so much noise the birds were afraid of landing and had to keep flying until finally they dropped dead (literally) from exhaustion.
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