You are the bird of my courtyard | Ramesh Sarraf Dhamora

(Special on 20th March World Sparrow Day)

The largest number of birds found in the courtyard of our house are small birds, which we call sparrows. This bird becomes our companion since childhood. When a child starts understanding something, the first bird he sees is the small bird i.e. sparrow. This small bird keeps roaming around children and keeps attracting them with its sweet voice. Many times sparrows snatch food items from the hands of children. Small children run after them to catch them and they fly and sit on top. This can still be seen in villages. But such a sight is rarely seen in cities now.

The sparrows that once lived with us in large numbers are now gradually decreasing in number. But in the hustle and bustle of life, no one is paying attention to their dwindling numbers. The sparrow, the closest friend of children, is decreasing at a rapid pace, which makes it seem that it may become extinct in the coming times. Therefore, we all should seriously make efforts so that sparrows can be protected and their numbers can start increasing again.

Sparrows are small, nimble birds that are 4 to 7 inches long. They have round, plump bodies and small strong beaks that are suitable for breaking open seeds. There are stripes or dark spots on their wings. It is light brown or white in colour. It has small feathers on its body and yellow beak and legs are yellow in colour.

Sparrows like to live around humans. It likes almost every type of climate but is rarely seen in hilly areas. It is found in abundance around cities, towns, villages and farms. The upper part of the head, lower part and cheeks of the male sparrow are brown in colour. The throat, beak and eyes are black in colour and the legs are brown. The female does not have brown colour on her head and throat. The male sparrow is also called Chida and the female is called Chidi or Chidiya.

Sparrow is a biological species of the Passer family of birds which is found in most parts of the world. Initially it was found in Asia, Europe and the coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea. But humans have spread it all over the world. It lives in many places near humans. In the last few years, concern is being expressed over the decreasing number of sparrows in cities. Sparrows do not find a place to live in the multi-storey buildings of modern architecture.

World Sparrow Day is celebrated every year on 20 March. The purpose of celebrating this day is to make people aware about the conservation of sparrows and to improve the environment around us for them. Sparrow bird is also called domestic bird. Because it can also make nests inside houses and live there. It is very useful for humans and nature. Because it eats insects, insects are not able to harm the plants. Sparrow is a bird which is very important for the environment. Apart from this, according to religious scriptures, it is auspicious for you if a sparrow comes to your roof. Experts say that this bird brings the message of peace and goodwill.

Statistics show that the population of sparrow, a cute little bird that chirps and hops around in the courtyard of houses, has decreased by 60 to 80 percent across the world. Britain’s ‘Royal Society of Protection of Birds’ had put sparrow in the ‘Red List’ on the basis of studies done by researchers in India and various parts of the world. According to a study done by Andhra University, the sparrow population has decreased by about 60 percent. This decrease has happened in both rural and urban areas. According to studies done in western countries, the sparrow population has decreased to dangerous levels. Whereas according to the State of India’s Birds (SOIB) Report 2023, the sparrow population has remained quite stable in the last 25 years. However, there is a general perception of the decreasing number of house sparrows in India. To create awareness about sparrow conservation, the Delhi government has declared sparrow as the state bird in 2012 and the Bihar government in 2013.

Sparrows used to come to our courtyards to eat the grains fallen in our homes and would fly away after eating the grains. However, even today sparrows are coming to many houses in villages. There are many reasons behind the decrease in the number of sparrows, on which research is being done continuously. The reasons behind the decrease in the number of sparrows are blamed for lack of food, increasing housing crisis, widespread use of pesticides, change in lifestyle, pollution and radiation emitted from mobile phone towers.

The reason behind the decrease in the number of sparrows is believed to be the excessive use of pesticides. Sparrows feed their babies with insects found in crops, vegetables, fruits. This provides ample protein to the baby sparrows. The baby cannot eat grains, but the way the use of pesticides has increased in crops, vegetables, fruits and grains, it is creating problems in providing proper diet to their babies. The excessive use of pesticides in crops and vegetables has killed the insects. In such a situation, the sparrows are not able to provide proper diet i.e. protein to their babies while raising them and the babies become weak.

The decrease in favorable habitat for the breeding of sparrows is also believed to be a reason for the decrease in their numbers. Due to the rapid transformation of kutcha houses into concrete jungles, they do not get favorable habitat for breeding in cities. This is the reason why they are seen in some areas of the same city and not in others. People involved in sparrow conservation are running an initiative to provide habitat for breeding to sparrows by building artificial houses. In this, sparrows are also coming to lay eggs.

As far as sparrows are concerned, they are friends of humans and helpers of farmers. Sparrows live with humans and provide them with peace and happiness. Children spend their childhood playing with them. But we humans have distanced it from us. There are a total of 1250 species of birds in India. Out of which 85 species are on the verge of extinction. Sparrows are also included in this.

It is also important to keep sparrows safe because they eat insects that harm the crops in the fields. Due to which the farmer’s crops are saved from getting spoiled. Sparrows make their nests close to humans. Due to this, their nests are destroyed. Increasing air pollution is also a problem for these birds. Therefore, it is important that we try to understand from now on how important the small sparrow is for our life. In such a situation, its protection should be our priority. The theme of World Sparrow Day in 2025 is “Tribute to the little messengers of nature”. This theme highlights the role of sparrows in maintaining ecological balance and encourages conservation efforts.

(The author is a freelance journalist accredited by the Government of Rajasthan)