Sparrows
are beautiful birds with smooth, round heads and rounded wings. They have
beautiful voices, their chirping and singing sound heard all over. A special
day is dedicated to these beautiful birds known as World Sparrow Day. It is celebrated
on 20 March.
Significance
World
Sparrow Day is celebrated to raise awareness about sparrows and other common
birds affected by the environment which are on the verge of extinction.
In our
childhood, during bedtime or during meals we all listen to stories about
sparrows, monkey and fox, king, queen etc. by our grandparents and parents.
Earlier, mostly we wake up by the melodious chirping of sparrows but these
common house sparrows are on the verge of extinction today. It is said that now
sparrows are just a memory.
Due to
large and huge towering buildings, natural flora and fauna are disturbed and
this ubiquitous bird is now, no longer a common sight.
Observance
On 20
March, World Sparrow Day is observed every year to raise awareness. We hope
that on this day individual, various government agencies, scientific
communities would come up with the measures to save them. In this way we will
be able to save biodiversity also. It is necessary to find out the reason why
our oldest companions are on the verge of extinction.
Theme
Every year
celebration is organised according to the theme. The theme for World Sparrow
Day is "I LOVE Sparrows" and is pictured like " I ♥ Sparrows". It is a hope
that with this theme more people will join several events and campaigns to
protect the sparrows. We all have some kind of special bond with sparrows since
our childhood. Theme “I Love sparrow” will remind people the love and bond with
sparrows and encourage them to come forward.
History
The Nature
Forever Society (NFS) in India started an international initiative to celebrate
World Sparrow Day. This Society works in the collaboration with Eco-Sys Action
Foundation from France.
Some Interesting facts
about Sparrows
1. Do you
know that there is a main difference between male and female sparrows? Female
have brown backs with stripes while the male has reddish backs with black bibs.
Also, a male sparrow is slightly larger than female.
2.
Sparrows live in colonies known as flocks.
3. If they
sense danger, they can swim at a fast pace.
4.
Sparrows are not territorial in nature; they are protective and build their
nests.
5. Male sparrows construct nests to attract
their female counterparts.
7. House
sparrows can live in urban or rural settings as they are strongly associated
with human habitations.
8. They
are found in widely varied habitats and climates, not in woodlands, deserts,
forests and grasslands.
9. The
average life expectancy of the wild sparrow is under 10 years and mainly closer
to 4 to 5 years.
10. The flight of house sparrows is direct with continued flapping and no periods of gliding, averaging 45.5 km/h (28.3 mph) and about 15 wingbeats per second.