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 ejected 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