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Home » Did You Know? » World Sparrow Day
19Mar
2018
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World Sparrow Day

March 20, 2018

World Sparrow Day is celebrated every year on March 20 to raise awareness of the HOUSE SPARROW and other common birds. It is an international initiative by the Nature Forever Society of India in collaboration with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France) and numerous other national and international organizations across the world.

The diminutive house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is perhaps one of the earliest birds anyone can remember from their childhood. The association between humans and the house sparrow dates back to several centuries and no other bird has been associated with humans on a daily basis like the house sparrow.

It is a bird that evokes fond memories and has thus found mention in folklore and songs from time immemorial. Unfortunately, the house sparrow is now a disappearing species.

The reasons?

Certainly, there is no one single reason for the decline of house sparrow. It’s slow but noticeable disappearance has been labeled as one of the biggest mysteries of recent times. A leading newspaper in the United Kingdom – a country that has witnessed one of the biggest declines of the house sparrow population in recent times – declared a cash prize to anyone who could solve the mystery. Needless to add, the reward lies unclaimed.

The house sparrow is believed to be declining for various reasons ranging from the destruction of its habitat to lack of insect food for the young and even the increasing microwave pollution from mobile phone towers.

Some interesting facts about this cute little bird

• House Sparrows have the capability of swimming underwater!

• These birds can grow as old as 12 years!

• The oldest sparrow recorded till date is known to live for 15 years and 9 months!

• They are philopatric i.e., they have the tendency to get back to their birthplace after migration!

• While the longevity record for a House Sparrow is over 13 years, the survival rate for the young within a year old is less than 25 per cent. Over 40 per cent of all adult House Sparrows die each year!

 

 

Source: www.worldsparrowday.org

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