House Sparrows disappeared from my property about fifteen years ago, that’s a guess but they were here when I was contributing to the New Atlas of Australian Birds and I know they’ve been missing for a very long time.
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 1600, focal length 560mm
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM EXT
House Sparrow numbers have been crashing around the world for about forty years. One article I found said that the world was losing fifty sparrows every hour. They’re an introduced species in many countries, including Australia, so their decline here isn’t overly concerning – except that we don’t know why. Even in the UK their decline has been so rapid that they are red listed as a species of high conservation concern.
House Sparrows were introduced to Australia during the mid 1800s by settlers desperately trying to recreate their homeland. Acclimatisation Societies introduced many species including rabbits, foxes, starlings, blackbirds, song thrushes, skylarks and noxious weeds: they wanted to hunt foxes and harvest blackberries while listening to familiar birdsong. If only we could wind the clock back.
House Sparrows are 15cm long and weigh 27g and they eat a wide range of foods and most of us have tossed crumbs to them when they join us at cafes.
Many factors have been suggested as a cause of their decline including pollution, cats, lack of nesting sites, changes agricultural practices, avian malaria and climate change. I’m wondering how widespread changes in their numbers are now, maybe they are still flourishing in some places.
Happy birding, stay safe, Kim
~ Browse prints and gifts Lirralirra Shop
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
I hadn’t thought of it but can’t remember when I saw any last.
I get that Tess, sometimes it takes a while to realise something is missing.
We still have a fair bit up here, north Queensland. Maybe they prefer the heat?
That’s interesting Viviane. It would be interesting to know if there are regions where their populations are stable. As they originated in Europe it’s fascinating that they adapted to such different climates.
We always had plenty of House Sparrows at Inverell in northern NSW Australia. They regularly nested in Pensil Pine trees.
I notice you said ‘had’ and ‘nested’ David so I’m guessing they’re no longer there…
We have only a couple around where I live but I do miss their happy, chirpy song and fat little bodies playing in the birdbath. I do love them even though not native and it’s a worry about such a ‘common’ bird disappearing though.
It is a worry Donna. The information I read about avian malaria seemed to make sense, as it affects the survival rate of youngsters and is related to climate change due the the changing range of the mosquito vectors. But there are so many possible factors, it’s quite disheartening. Hopefully answers will be found soon that help all species. Hopefully the Glasgow talks will show that politicians have some sense after all.
Hi Kim. House Sparrows are common here too. I wasn’t aware their numbers are in decline. They are an invasive species but they are so well established most folks don’t know it. House Sparrows are not hard to find at all. I think Ontario has about 25 different Sparrow species out of which 4 or 5 visit our yard every summer. My favorites are White Crowned and Song Sparrows.
That’s really interesting Harry. I wonder if ornithologists will find the answer by working out where they are still thriving. 25 different sparrow species – now I’ll have to do some more research!
I have been missing them here too. When we first arrived their cheery little song and presence was almost a given.
I haven’t seen them in years – and introduced or not I miss them. Yes they were introduced, but it wasn’t their choice.
I hope they are able to find out what is causing the decline so we can, hopefully, stop it happening with other species. They were definitely a species I took for granted, and now wish I hadn’t. I’m glad I took a moment to photograph them.