The House Sparrow is a bird of the sparrow
family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world. A small bird, it
has a typical length of 16 cm (6.3 in) and a weight of 24–39.5 g. Females and young birds are coloured pale brown and
grey, and males have brighter black, white, and brown markings. One of
about 25 species , the House Sparrow occurs naturally in most of Europe, the Mediterranean region, and much of Asia. Its intentional or accidental introductions to many regions, including parts of Australia, Africa, and the Americas, make it the most widely distributed wild bird.
The House Sparrow is strongly associated with human habitations, and
can live in urban or rural settings. Though found in widely varied
habitats and climates, it typically avoids extensive woodlands, grasslands, and deserts
away from human development. It feeds mostly on the seeds of grains and
weeds, but it is an opportunistic eater and commonly eats insects and
many other foods. Its predators include domestic cats, hawks, owls, and many other predatory birds and mammals.
Stressing on the need for saving sparrow, which has become an
endangered species, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that it
would soon be declared state bird.
Making this announcement at a meeting of State Wildlife
Council held on Tuesday he expressed concern that the sparrows are
slowly vanishining.
As sparrows live near human habitations and not in jungle
and makes their dwellings in homes rise in pollution, increasing number
of mobile towers and pesticides in foodgrains were contributing to
their dwindling population.
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Among other things the meeting decided to make special efforts for conservation of sparrows by raising awareness among masses.
It also decided to raise compensation in case of death by wild
animals. Secretary of Forest and Environment Deepak Prasad said the
compensation amount is being doubled from Rs one lakh to two lakh.
He said the meeting also decided to extend till December 2013 permission to shoot antelope which damage crops.
Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi was also present at the meeting.
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