March 20 is celebrated as World Sparrow Day across the world. The day is observed to raise awareness about the protection of the common house sparrows. With rising pollution levels, urbanisation and reducing greenery, these birds have become a rare sight.

On this day, let us take a look at some interesting facts about sparrows:

  • Sparrows were once one of Britain’s commonest birds, according to Living With Birds. Their population has, however, declined in recent years, with London losing three-quarters of its sparrows between 1994 and 2000
  • Sparrows are known to be very sociable birds and often nest in colonies
  • Sparrows are highly adaptive birds as there are records of them living and breeding 2000ft underground in a coalmine. They have also been recorded living their whole lives inside warehouses
  • Although house sparrows are non-migratory birds, urban flocks had traditionally moved to the countryside to feed on ripening grain fields
  • Sparrows have several broods every year, with the female laying three to five eggs
  • During the incubation period that lasts 12 to 15 days and after, both the parents take care of the eggs and chicks
  • Sparrow chicks are ready to leave the nest after 15 days of their birth