World Sparrow Day: Where have all the sparrows gone?

    Missing sparrows
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    Missing sparrows

    Spotting a sparrow in the cities these days have become very difficult. Reducing urban nesting spaces, rampant construction, felling of trees are a few reasons why there has been a drastic reduction in the population of the chirping bird, pushing it almost to the verge of extinction.

    friend of humans
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    friend of humans

    The House sparrows have co-existed with humans, but in the last couple of decades they haven’t been able to keep up with major architectural and lifestyle changes.

    Fading songs of a sparrow
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    Fading songs of a sparrow

    Since 2010, March 20 has been designated World Sparrow Day to highlight the decreasing presence of the once common bird. In 2012, the sparrow was adopted as the state bird of Delhi.

    Shoved away
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    Shoved away

    In national capital New Delhi, experts say, it is hard to estimate the number of the avian left in the city, but confirmed that majority of the sparrow population was finding its way out to the outskirts.

    Not the only one
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    Not the only one

    Not only sparrow, but population of several others birds and animals ncluding jackals, crows have dropped drastically due to human activities and fast expanding cities.

    ​Expert view
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    ​Expert view

    Experts say the birds act as an ecological indicator and the dwindling numbers signify urban lifestyle changes.

    Creating safer he(a)vens
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    Creating safer he(a)vens

    A small step can help conserve the bird. Planting native species of plants at homes, adopting a nest box, setting up a water bath are some ways to build a habitat for the sparrow.

    The Economic Times
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