HOUSE SPARROW: Mirroring the Soul

OLD WORLD SPARROW AND SNOWFINCH FAMILY (PASSERIDAE)

True Sparrows (Passer) are seed-eaters who prefer eating the seeds from cereals and rice. The best-known of Birds, Old World Sparrows are rarely found away from people. Meanwhile, Snowfinches live near the snowlines or just above them. Skiers often see Them feeding around the slopes, eating the food that people drop by accident.

HOUSE SPARROW: Mirroring the Soul

As one of the most widespread Birds in the world, House Sparrow is familiar to many people. Rarely found away from human settlements, He happily lives on scraps and bread dropped by forgetful people. In Eurasia, House Sparrow followed humans as they moved their farms and villages. Elsewhere in the world, people deliberately introduced Him, in various places for a variety of reasons. Now House Sparrow is virtually found everywhere. Ironically, He is becoming scarce in Europe where He first originated.

This wary but bold Bird is able to exploit humans and their activities to meet his needs. First, House Sparrow ate the grain left in farm fields, and later spilt on stable floors in cities. Now, He feeds on food dropped outside fast food restaurants. One House Sparrow was recorded tripping the electric eye on the doors to a supermarket. He would enter, take his food, and leave. Meanwhile, other House Sparrows will use man-made structures to nest in.

In ancient times, people regarded House Sparrow to be a friendly spirit of their home. In Rome, He was consecrated to the Penates (the Keepers of the Household Stores). For the early Christians, House Sparrow was among the least of God’s creatures.

In addition, Christians had other positive associations with House Sparrow. Some early Christians would decorate their tombs with House Sparrow escaping from a cage. This represented the soul freed to fly to Heaven. A lone House Sparrow on a roof depicted Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. (House Sparrows are usually always found in large flocks.)

In contrast, (House) Sparrow Wars raged in North America, beginning in Boston in the late 1800s. By then, House Sparrow was such a pest, that people wanted to get rid of Him. Even today, House Sparrow elicits strong feelings in people, who still debate his continued existence in places where He is not wanted. Moreover, bird watchers zealously protect their native Birds from invasions from House Sparrow.

House Sparrow is the mirror of our souls. Neither good nor evil, He elicits both of these emotions in us. House Sparrow did not ask to be a pest. However, we introduced Him to places where He was not meant to be. We can choose to think of House Sparrow as friendly spirit if we prefer to. He is what He is, what changes is how we view Him.

Song Sparrow: Interdependence

Song Sparrow lives nearly everywhere except in the deep woods. But She much prefers brushy areas and marshes to nest in. As a habitat generalist, Song Sparrow eats mostly Insects and seeds, any place that She finds Herself. Since She can be elusive at times, most people do not know that Song Sparrow is probably living near them. They will probably see Song Sparrow hopping across their lawns from time to time.

“Song Sparrow” actually refers to a species complex from twenty-four to fifty-two sub-species. These sub-species are grouped according to their location – Eastern North America, Northwest North America, Cismontane California, Southwestern United States, and Mexican Plateau. They differ by the streaks on their bodies, and their shades of brown.

This small streaked brownish Bird can easily be overlooked by people, since Song Sparrow blends in easily into the background. For example, fond of water, She bathes using the drops of water found on people’s lawns. First, She strikes a grass blade with her wings, and then throws the water on her feathers. Inconspicuous in what She does, Song Sparrow is often missed being seen by people as She bathes.

Learning various songs from her Neighbors, Song Sparrow uses their “dialect” to communicate with Them. In her songs She tells her Neighbors what She is doing. Her complex songs of trills and clear notes inform the others about what is going on. With songs in common, Song Sparrow and her Neighbors build a community.

Looking out for her Friends, Song Sparrow will inform Them when a predator is near. She will point and call at Cat. Sounding her alarm call, Song Sparrow continues to follow Cat, calling and pointing. Her Friends appreciate her efforts, and will call and point at Cat as well.

In her flock, Song Sparrow looks out for her Friends. They do the same for Her as well. She and They are both dependent and dependable. Learn the art of interdependence from Song Sparrow. Watch out for your friends, as they do for you.

------------------
Science Notes:

1. Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) of the Emberizidae is not a relative of Old World Sparrows, who are the Passeridae.

YELLOWHAMMER: Communication

Called “Yellow Bunting” in some areas of Europe, Yellowhammer is usually found hopping about in croplands. After a harvest, He and his flock will eat the grain remaining in the fields. Preferring farm fields surrounded by shrubs, Yellowhammer is rarely found in gardens or woods.

When He is not breeding, Yellowhammer joins a mixed flock that includes Finches and Buntings. Within this flock, Yellowhammer and his Friends have a communal roosting spot inside the thick hedges. This robust Bird does not seem to mind the cold, and sometimes will roost on the bushes under the snow.

Wary but not shy, Yellowhammer will choose a high perch on a bush near people to sing his tunes. He usually sings “a little bit of bread and no cheese”. However, in Scotland, Yellowhammer calls, “may the Devil take you!”

Another name for Yellowhammer is “Scribble Lark” because of the squiggly lines on his eggs. Since these lines resemble cursive writing, He is also called the “Writing Lark”. The squiggles are Yellowhammer’s messages to the world.

Yellowhammer communicates in various ways. Not content with “cheep cheep”, He sings whole sentences to get people’s attention. If that does not work, Yellowhammer scribbles on his eggs, which are covered with writing. However, make sure that you are clear in your statements or people will not understand you. Like the squiggles on Yellowhammer’s eggs, you can be as confusing.
------------------
Science Notes:

1. Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) of Europe is a member of the Old World Bunting Family. In some areas, Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is referred to as “Yellowhammer”. However, Flickers are woodpeckers.

SNOW BUNTING: Love of Life

Snow Bunting is remarkable for She lives the farthest north of any Bird save Common Raven. She comfortably makes her home in the Nearctic and Palearctic regions. Snow Bunting will often nest in the outcroppings of glaciers, although She much prefers rocky crevices. To cope with her harsh Polar environment, Snow Bunting has feathered tarsi. In her northern home, Snow Bunting enjoys bathing in the snow. When it gets very cold, She will burrow deep in the snow.

A social Bird, Snow Bunting likes to live in large flocks when She migrates. Watching these flocks is to see Birds in constant motion. They “leapfrog” over each other, changing who is in the front and center of the flock. Because of her snow-white plumage, Snow Bunting is also called “Snowflake”. What seems to be a flying snow flurry is her flock passing by.

Snow Bunting teaches us to love life. Enjoying the snow, She plays in it. Nesting as far north as She does, Snow Bunting ably demonstrates tenacity of life. Living even in the most inhospitable of regions, She still enjoys Herself.
-------------------

OLD WORLD BUNTINGS AND NEW WORLD SPARROWS (EMBERIZIDAE):

OLD WORLD BUNTINGS AND NEW WORLD SPARROWS (EMBERIZIDAE): Jumping to Conclusions

The Emberizidae or Old World Buntings and New World Sparrows are a diverse and complicated Family of Birds. At present, what this Family is in flux. What is under discussion is which Birds belong to the Family of Old World Buntings and New World Sparrows.


However some things can apply to all of the Emberizidae. In Europe, these Birds are called “Buntings”. Meanwhile in North America, They are known as “American Sparrows” and include Juncos. Adding to the confusion is that Buntings in the Americas usually belong to the Cardinal-Grosbeak (Cardinalidae) Family. Also, Sparrows of the Old World belong to the Passeridae Family. (American Sparrows were named that because of their resemblance to these Old World Passeridae.)

Emberizidae feed on fruit, Insects, and seeds. They have stout bills which are adapted for crushing seeds. As important members of the ecosystem, these Birds disperse seeds and eat pests.

Old World Buntings and New World Sparrows are usually not very colorful or flashy. Often known as “Little Brown Jobs”, Emberizidae are generally not welcomed at Bird feeders since people prefer more colorful and charismatic Birds. Victims of mistaken identity, Emberizidae go about their business. We may be confused about Them but these Birds know who they are.

Appearances can be deceiving, which leads to confusion, but the Emberizidae rise above it all. They teach people not to jump to conclusions, since these Birds are not really what people once thought they were. Now many people are confused over what a “Sparrow” or a “Bunting” really is. Instead of jumping to conclusions, employ careful thought. Remember that when you see a “Sparrow” in North America.
-------------------

Adventures in Bird Feeding (1)

Food Plans for Wrens and Sparrows

In my area of Northern Virginia, wrens (Carolina and house) and sparrows (song and tree) are common. Because I live in a semi-urban area, I decided that these birds would be easy to attract. On my small balcony of my condo, I have a table that I use to feed the birds.

Because wrens rarely eat anything other than insects, I decided to put bananas out to see if they would eat the fruit flies. Since wrens are fond of suet, bread crumbs, and dried grapes, I have put out suet and grapes for them. Insects and suet have protein for the birds, while bread and grapes provide their energy needs.

After researching about the needs of sparrows, I decided on millet to encourage them to come to my feeder. Since my area is rich in cardinals, I decided not to put out sunflower seeds because this food attracts these birds. Even though the sparrows like sunflower seeds, I want the smaller birds to get their share in food.

--------

Burton, Robert, “North American Birdfeeder Handbook”,Dorling Kindersly, New York, 1995.

Harrison, George and Kit, “America’s Favorite Backyard Birds”, Fireside, New York, 1983.

Bromley, Peter T. and Aelred D. Geis, Feeding Wild Birds, Publication Number 420-006, Virginia Cooperative Extension, April, 1998, 20 Sept. 2008

-----

Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2008