The concept of 150 million magical sparrows is an intriguing and fantastical notion. Imagine a world where millions of sparrows possess magical abilities, each with unique powers and skills. These mystical creatures would bring a sense of wonder and awe to the natural world, enchanting both children and adults alike. These magical sparrows could possess a wide range of abilities. Some might have the power to heal, using their magic to mend wounds and cure ailments. Others might possess the ability to communicate with humans, forming a deep bond and understanding with those they encounter.
In May 2021 the BBC website listed the house sparrow as the world's most abundant bird, using the 1.6 billion figure. Second was the European starling at 1.3 billion, followed by the ring-billed gull, 1.2 billion, and barn swallow, 1.1 billion.
Cookies Name Usage Duration _ga Google Analytics 2 years _gid Google Analytics 1 day _gat Google Analytics 1 minute _gali Google Analytics 30 seconds. JC McLoughlin did note that more than half of all adult House Sparrow deaths occur during the three month breeding period due to increased exposure and energy drain.
Others might possess the ability to communicate with humans, forming a deep bond and understanding with those they encounter. There could even be sparrows with the power of flight, soaring effortlessly through the skies with grace and agility. The existence of 150 million magical sparrows would undoubtedly have a profound impact on the world.
150 millin magucal sparrws
- Compiled by E.A. Zimmerman
Less than 200 years ago, there were no House Sparrows in North America. Now these cosmopolitan birds are one of the most abundant songbirds on the continent, with an estimated 150 million birds established in all 48 states. The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus, or HOSP, sometimes called the English Sparrow, domestic sparrow, gamin, tramp or hoodlum) was originally recorded in Eurasia, North Africa and the Middle East. Accounts differ, but it appears that repeated introductions occurred in various parts of the U.S and Canada.
- Initially, eight pairs were released in Brooklyn, NY in either 1850 or 1851 by a single person/group of New Yorkers. Apparently they died before they could breed.
- Accounts differ, but it appears that in 1850 Nicholas Pike, Director of the Brooklyn Institute, purchased the first 8 pairs of sparrows from Liverpool, England (the cost of the trip was $200 per Barrows). He released the 8 pairs in the spring of 1851. They did not "thrive."
- The following year (1851) he oversaw purchase of another 25 pairs of birds that were released along the East River. (Barrows [1889] reported 100 birds purchased by Pike from England released in fall the 1851 and spring 1852.)
- The rest wintered under the care of the Brooklyn Institute, and were released in 1853 in Greenwood Cemetery.
- Birds were released into Central Park (possibly to control canker worms infesting the trees [Lyacock 1966, Roots 1976]), Union Square Park, and Madison Square Park.
Reasons given for introduction were to establish wildlife familiar to European immigrants, or to control insect infestations. However, in agricultural areas, an average of 60% of the House Sparrows' diet consists of livestock feed (corn, wheat, oats, etc.), 18% cereals (grains from fields and in storage), 17% weed seeds, and only 4% from insects. Urban birds tend to eat more commercial birdseed, weed seed (e.g., crabgrass), and human scraps. The diet of nestlings may be up to 70% animal food to encourage rapid growth (McLoughlin). They also drive away other insect eating birds. Since bluebirds did not exist in Europe, they would not have recognized the interference that would result. HOSP have also displaced cliff and Tree Swallows and purple martins.
After being introduced, HOSP thrived in areas occupied by humans, eating grain that was left on the ground, undigested grain in horse manure, and trash. HOSP populations may have peaked in the early 1900s. When automobiles and farm machinery replaced horses and farm animals, the HOSPs primary source of food was reduced.
There is research evidence that HOSP populations are declining in both rural and urban habitats in Europe (e.g., 60% decline since 1970s in England) but no one has yet determined why. Breeding Bird Survey data also indicate that the population is declining in the Maritime provinces and in the eastern and central United States. Possible reasons that have been proposed are changing agricultural practices such as a shift to monoculture crop plantings and sealing grain stores to reduce access and spillage; i ncreased pollution; use of herbicides/pesticides (and its impact on food sources - HOSP nestlings are exclusively fed invertebrates for the first four days of their life); destruction and/or damage of natural habitats; loss of nest sites; feral cat and hawk predation; and nestling starvation (due to lack of availability of insects, especially for later nestings), adult starvation during winter months (HOSP don't build up fat reserves during winter, perhaps allowing them to escape predation, but making them more vulnerable to a reduced food supply), or infection. A 2006 BBC report indicated that hundreds of birds sparrows, chaffinches and goldfinches are dying England and Wales from trichomoniasis, a parasite that poses no risks to humans but causes lethargy and death within 3 weeks. However, the 2004 Audubon "State of the Birds" reported that nearly 30% of all bird species in the continental U.S. and Canada are in serious decline, primarily due to loss of habitat. So if House Sparrow populations are actually in decline in the U.S., as they are in England, they are not alone.
Unfortunately HOSP are not the only songbird in decline . Changed practices have probably impacted populations, but any HOSP decline may be more noticeable than that of other birds because their numbers were so large. With the proliferation of fast food restaurants and stores such as Home Depot (with an almost endless supply of bird seed, water and nesting areas); homeowners who feed inexpensive bird seed mixes containing millet and cracked corn; and people or businesses who leave food waste out, House Sparrows should continue to be ubiquitous in the U.S.
KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL INVASION
Invasive/nuisance species like House Sparrows generally share the following characteristics that enable their populations to explode.
- Reproduce rapidly : HOSP are prolific breeders. They may raise 2-5 (average of 3) clutches of 3-7 (very seldom less than 4) chicks each breeding season, (averaging 20 chicks per season). One pair can theoretically quintuple the population in one year. Using some conservative assumptions, one pair could increase to 1,250 birds in 5 years. Both sexes work to quickly build a nest. Eggs are incubated for 10-16 days, and nestlings are fully feathered in 15-17 days. JC McLoughlin did note that more than half of all adult House Sparrow deaths occur during the three month breeding period due to increased exposure and energy drain.
- Effective dispersal mechanisms: HOSP have no recognized migration pattern, but flocks of juveniles and non-breeding adults may move 1-5 miles to new feeding areas, or they may fly a mile or more in late summer and early autumn to roost with a flock. Human intervention in terms of multiple introductions was a major factor in dispersal. Not being exposed to the perils associated with migration might actually increase their survival rate.
- Rapidly and easily established: HOSPs are fairly hardy birds. Unlike many birds, they eat a wide range of foods (over 830 kinds), including grain, seed (wild and in feeders), human food waste, insects and spiders (fed to nestlings), and, less frequently, tree buds, fruit and vegetables. They live near humans, which provides a ready source of food and nesting sites. (HOSP are not usually found in dense forests (especially deciduous), grasslands, alpine regions and deserts.) While they prefer to nest in cavities such as a nestbox, they will nest in protected locations such as rafters, gutters, roofs, ledges, eaves, soffits and attic vents, dryer vents, holes in wood siding, behind shake siding, dense vines on buildings, loading docks, roof supports, commercial signs, behind or above pipes and duct work on buildings, wall voids, evergreens and shrubs, nests of cliff swallows and northern orioles, and even alongside osprey nests. Nests are often in 8-30 feet off the ground, which may afford additional predator protection. Unlike bluebirds or Tree Swallows, they will nest in close proximity to others of their species. They also build nests very quickly and will reuse nests. Their gregarious habits and foraging in small flocks may avoid predation. In between feeding, they rest in thickets, brush piles or evergreen stands which provide protection from predators and wind. House Sparrows reportedly lived and bred in the Frickley Colliery Yorkshire, England coal mine shaft 640 m (2100 ft.) below ground level, where two, and later three birds were fed by the miners and lived for 3 years. (In November 1977, a pair nested in the mine and raised 3 young which did not survive). Because they are so adaptable, they are extremely effective at territorial control (see aggressive competitors) and range expansion. HOSP live in Death Valley, CA at 280 feet below sea level and in the Colorado Rocky Mountains at altitudes over 10,000 feet. Another factor may be ability to escape from natural enemies such as predators and native pathogens and parasites, which will contribute to rapid population growth and maintenance of high densities. (Lee et al, 2005)
- Grow rapidly: HOSP eggs hatch in 11 days, and birds fledge when only 14 days old, and young are independent 7-10 days after leaving the nest. (Compare to 12-18 days incubation and 12-19 days fledging, and independence at 30 days for Eastern Bluebirds.) They quickly reach sexual maturity (as early as 9 mos. per McLoughlin. A 1986 study by Thuberin Guatemala indicated they may start breeding at 4 to 6 months). They also have a relatively long life span (the record for a wild HOSP is 13 years 4 mos.), although their typical lifespan in the wild is probably about three years.
- Aggressive competitors: HOSP begin nesting in late winter and early spring, beating other migratory birds such as Eastern Bluebirds, purple martins, and Tree Swallows to preferred nesting sites. They are aggressively territorial in their attachment to a nest site. They have a powerful crushing finch beak used to destroy eggs, nestlings and parents of other birds, and to attack occupants of nearby nestboxes. They may also attack other birds while they are feeding, and will overwhelm a bird feeder. They are persistent - Frank Navratil reported watching sparrows try to enter a tiny wren house with a 1-inch diameter entry hole for days at a time. HOSP are also fairly intelligent. A fast food restaurant in Australia had a set of doors that opened automatically when an "electric eye" was tripped. HOSP learned to hover in front of the electric eye until the door opened, or to sit on top of the eye and lean over until they tripped the sensor (Barn swallows have also reportedly learned to fly in front of sensors to open doors).
The combination of these factors has resulted in a very successful infestation of these "weeds of the air."
- Origin: Some sources say HOSP are native to Britain, northern Scandinavia, and northern Siberia to northern Africa, Arabia, India, and Burma.
- Classification : Many sources (especially pre-1970) indicate that HOSP are Weaver Finches (instead of Sparrows) and put them in the family Ploceidae. According to Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, which is based on DNA studies, the HOSP is an "Old World sparrows" ("true sparrows"), and member of the family Passeridae. Weaver finches are sometimes considered a subgroup of this family. Others consider them as members of a separate family, Estrildidae. "New World sparrows," like the Song Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, and Chipping Sparrow, are members of the family Emberizidae (called Emberizine Sparrows). House Finches and Goldfinches are included in the family Fringillidae ("true finches"). Some people still classify many of the New World sparrows in this family.
- HOSP names in other languages (Note: HOSP in some other countries may hybridize with other species), from Ceeege.com:
Afrikaans: Huismossie
Albanian: Harabeli
Armenian: Tnayin Chnchghuk
Croatian: Vrabac, Vrabac pokućar
Czech: Vrabec domácí
Gaelic: Gealbhonn
Welsh: Aderyn y Tô
Danish: Gråspurv
Dutch: Huismus
England: Phillip Sparrow (obsolete, per History of British Birds, Vol.2, 1882)
Finnish: Varpunen
French: Moineau domestique
German: Haussperling
Hebrew: Dror
Hungarian: Házi veréb
Icelandic: Gráspör
Indonesian: Burung gereja
Irish: Gealbhan Binne
Italian: Passera europea
Japanese: iesuzume
Latvian: Mājas zvirbulis
Lithuanian: Italinis (Naminis) žvirblis
Malay: Ciak Rumah
Maltese: Għasfur tal-bejt
Norwegian: Gråspurv
Polish: Wróbel
Portuguese: Pardal-comum
Romanian: Vrăbie de casă
Russian Domovoy Vorobey
Scottish: Gealbhonn
Serbian: domaći vrabac
Slovenian: domači vrabec
Spanish: Gorrión doméstico, Gorrión común, Estornino rosado
Swedish: Gråsparv - Passer domesticus, the scientific name, means a small active bird of the house. Linnaeus originally named it Fringilla domestica, but HOSP were placed in the Passer genus in 1760.
- House Sparrows by Steve Eno
- Invasion Biology Introduced Species Summary Project, Columbia University
- North American Bluebird Society
- Ohio History Central - English House Sparrow
- House Sparrows in New York City Parks
- Introduced Species Summary Project
- BioKids - House Sparrow
- The Danger of Introducing Noxious Animals and Birds by Richard Van Vleck
- "WORDS ON THE WING" by Kim Todd. From "Tinkering with Eden: A Natural History of Exotics In America". W. W. Norton & Company, New York, 2001.
- Biodiversity and Conservation, Chapter 9, Exotic Introductions by Peter Bryant
- Cornell Birdscope, Winter 2004, Vol.18, No.1: Sparrows that Open Doors, by Melinda S. LaBranche
- Dangerous Drop in Sparrow Population, News article 12/19/2005
- House Sparrow Bio (Cornell - The Birdhouse Network)
- How to Control House Sparrows, by Don Grussing, Dec.2000 2nd edition
- University of TX, House Sparrow
- Audubon Society Encyclopedia of North American Birds, by John K. Terres
- The Animals Among us, by John C. McLoughlin, 1978
- Newspaper articles and ads on The Bluebird Nut
- "The English Sparrow in North America Especially Its Relations to Agriculture" Walter B. Barrows, 1889, 405 pages
- Birds of America, editors T. Gilbert Pearson and John Burroughs, 1917
- BTO Bird Facts (UK, British Trust for Ornithology)
- D. Summers-Smith. 1980. Br. Birds 73:325-327 (coal mine).
- Your Bird Friends and How to Win Them, Joseph H. Dodson, 1928
- W. B. Barrows 1889. The English Sparrow in North America, especially in its relations to agriculture. USDA, Div. Econ. Ornith. Mammal. Bull. 1: 1–405.
- Lowther, P.E. (2006). House Sparrow. ( Passer domesticus ). The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology; Retrieved from The Birds of North American Online database: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/BNA/account/House_Sparrow/.
- W. B. Barrows 1889. The English Sparrow in North America, especially in its relations to agriculture. USDA, Div. Econ. Ornith. Mammal. Bull. 1: 1–405.
- J. L. Long 1981. Introduced birds of the world. Universe Books, New York.
- W. A. Thurber 1986. Range expansion of the House Sparrow through Guatemala and El Salvador. Amer. Birds 40: 341–350.
- L. Wing 1943. Spread of the Starling and English Sparrow. Auk 60: 74–87.
A certain traveler who knew many continents was asked what he found most remarkable of all.
He replied: the ubiquity of sparrows.
Adam Zagajewski, Another Beauty, 2002May all your blues be birds!
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Last updated March 24, 2016 . Design by Chimalis.The house sparrow song is worthy of early mention. The bird says/sings cheep. That's it, that's the song, first verse, last verse, melody, everything. It is a bird song you can learn and probably sing.
They could be seen as protectors of nature, using their powers to restore balance and harmony to the environment. Their presence alone would inspire people to appreciate and cherish the beauty of the natural world, leading to increased efforts for conservation and preservation. The magical sparrows could also play a role in storytelling and mythology. Their tales would be passed down through generations, becoming legends and folklore in their own right. These stories would inspire creativity and imagination, encouraging people to dream beyond what they see in their everyday lives. Furthermore, the magical sparrows could provide a sense of hope and wonder in times of darkness and despair. Their magic could serve as a beacon of light, guiding people through challenging times and reminding them of the extraordinary potential that exists within the world. In conclusion, the idea of 150 million magical sparrows is a captivating and enchanting concept. Their magical abilities, combined with their natural beauty and grace, would undoubtedly make them a beloved and cherished part of the natural world. The impact they would have on both the physical and emotional realm would be immeasurable, inspiring wonder, imagination, and a deep appreciation for the magic that exists within our world..
Reviews for "The Cooperative Behavior of the 150 Million Magical Sparrows"
1. Jane - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "150 Million Magical Sparrows". The storyline was weak and lacking in depth, and the characters were poorly developed. The whole concept of magical sparrows just didn't captivate my interest, and it felt like a forced attempt at creating something unique. The writing style was also subpar, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. Overall, I found this book to be a complete letdown and would not recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 2 stars
"150 Million Magical Sparrows" had a promising premise, but unfortunately, it failed to live up to its potential. The plot was overly predictable, and the twists and turns were uninspiring. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Additionally, the pacing was off, with several sections dragging on for too long, while others felt rushed. Overall, the book lacked the necessary charm and depth to truly engage the reader, and I was left feeling underwhelmed.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars
While "150 Million Magical Sparrows" had an intriguing title, the execution fell flat for me. The writing style was juvenile and lacked sophistication, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The characters were one-dimensional and their motivations were poorly explained, leaving me feeling disconnected from their journey. Furthermore, the magical elements never felt fully fleshed out, leaving me with more questions than answers. This book had potential, but it ultimately failed to deliver a compelling and engaging reading experience.
Tracking the Movement Patterns of the 150 Million Magical Sparrows