Disappearing Household Chirps by SUSHMA SHASHIDHARA

by Sushma Shashidhara
I have beautiful memories of childhood, especially one with the chirps of tiny sparrows. These birds followed me erywhere, especially while been fed by my granny, becoming my constant companions. Gradually in search of better education and later for jobs I tired to find my old companions at every possible location I shifted base.

I tried to research on these avian. "There can be no bird that is more universally known and recognized than the House Sparrow" said Hugh Whistler. This phrase holds good for many of us-young or old, having beautiful memories of growing up with the sparrows; the constant chirps making them indispensable part of every house holds.

The few sparrows I found were scared to get closer, may be the fright of been harmed or experiences of been abruptly cut off. That is when a preposterous thought struck me that the common house sparrow, once seen everywhere is on its brink of extinction.

Grave Avian Affair
The disappearance of the House Sparrows could be attributed to reasons:
• Primarily, deforestation to accommodate the rising city population by destroying habitat of sparrows
• Pollution levels in air are a substantial threat to sparrows as its egg shell becomes very delicate and hatches prematurely or premature death of new born.
• Findings also show that the Electro Magnetic radiation (EMR) from the mobile towers penetrates the nervous system of the birds affecting unfavorably-the key reason for the depletion of this bird population.
• These tiny birds exhaust their energy communicating as they have to be heard against the noise pollution. This makes their signals to flock and mate more complicated; a serious indication of nearing extinction of this species.
• Increasing soil pollution has made it nearly impossible for these avian to survive on the worms or grains lying around. The pesticides have polluted the food chain making sparrows susceptible to slow poisoning or extinction in near future.

In earlier days miners used to carry canaries into the mines with them. If the canaries showed signs of distress it indicated that there were poisonous gases in the air, and the miners would immediately exit the mine. In present day, if sparrows of city give cries of distress it could be a warning to human residents about a possible natural disaster.

Saving Sparrows from Extinction
Now the probable question would be what can we do?
• Give a safe haven by saving neighbouring forest vegetation or afforestation
• Provide alternate food sources like placing food and water for these weaker links of eco system. But also watch for the scavengers!!!

The survival of sparrows is crucial not only to create a balance in food chain but also for bird lovers like me to still cherish those happy days of our life and giving the next generations to relive such moments of childhood.

Best Regards,
Sushma Shashidhara