Affinity to man did them in
CHANDIGARH: "Chirp Chirp Chirp" was a familiar sound a decade ago.
Sporting a plumage of off white speckled with black, the sparrow hopped
fearlessly in courtyards and terraces, its world seamlessly merging with
that of man. It was common for sparrows to nest in human homes.
Many of us would recall a childhood shared with sparrow chicks, when inquisitive kids would get to peek into a sparrow's nest. Afternoon siestas were interspersed with the often frantic chirping of a flock of animated sparrows. In the summer, clay utensils filled with water were considerately placed around homes for the sparrows' bath and drinking needs. All that was then. The effect of "development" was such that the little birds did not even have a chance to say goodbye. As the air grew thick with pollution, the chirping of the sparrows was snuffed out.
In the old houses, you might find a nest or an impression of a nest. But in concrete bungalows, even that impression is hard to come by as the bird has no place to build its nest. You would not find sparrows in forests too, as they are used to living in urban, suburban and agricultural habitats and are rarely found far from human habitation.
"Their name, house sparrow, tells us about their natural habitat. They live in houses, are used to human beings and cannot live in the wild. They do not even build their nest on trees.
Many of us would recall a childhood shared with sparrow chicks, when inquisitive kids would get to peek into a sparrow's nest. Afternoon siestas were interspersed with the often frantic chirping of a flock of animated sparrows. In the summer, clay utensils filled with water were considerately placed around homes for the sparrows' bath and drinking needs. All that was then. The effect of "development" was such that the little birds did not even have a chance to say goodbye. As the air grew thick with pollution, the chirping of the sparrows was snuffed out.
In the old houses, you might find a nest or an impression of a nest. But in concrete bungalows, even that impression is hard to come by as the bird has no place to build its nest. You would not find sparrows in forests too, as they are used to living in urban, suburban and agricultural habitats and are rarely found far from human habitation.
"Their name, house sparrow, tells us about their natural habitat. They live in houses, are used to human beings and cannot live in the wild. They do not even build their nest on trees.
Human company for these
sparrows is of utmost importance," said Professor Neelima R Kumar,
Chairperson Department of Zoology, Punjab University. However, it seems
the affinity to humans proved to be the sparrows' undoing.
Experts say sparrows could not bear the brunt of the loss of habitat. "The change human beings brought about in their lifestyle made the sparrows lose their habitat because of which we do not see them in abundance anymore," said Neelima.
Big glass panels used in houses and commercial buildings is another reason for the extinction of these birds. According to environmentalists, use of pesticides, lack of food due to replacement of shops with supermarkets and noise pollution have all killed the sparrows, pushing them close to extinction. "The species has become extinct in the city, which is not a good sign. We will also be affected, directly or indirectly as the food chain loses balance," said Professor Jitender Jindal of the department of Zoology, Panjab University.
Experts say sparrows could not bear the brunt of the loss of habitat. "The change human beings brought about in their lifestyle made the sparrows lose their habitat because of which we do not see them in abundance anymore," said Neelima.
Big glass panels used in houses and commercial buildings is another reason for the extinction of these birds. According to environmentalists, use of pesticides, lack of food due to replacement of shops with supermarkets and noise pollution have all killed the sparrows, pushing them close to extinction. "The species has become extinct in the city, which is not a good sign. We will also be affected, directly or indirectly as the food chain loses balance," said Professor Jitender Jindal of the department of Zoology, Panjab University.
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