What Is a Sparrow?
A sparrow is a small bird that lives in almost every part of the world.
They are friendly and are often seen in gardens, parks, farms, and even near our homes.
Example:
Have you seen a little brown bird hopping on your window sill?
That could be a sparrow!
Key Features:
Small size (about 5–7 inches)
Brown, black, and white feathers
Short beak
Round body
Where Do Sparrows Live?
Sparrows can be found almost anywhere—cities, villages, farms, forests, and even deserts!
Types of Homes:
Nests in trees
Tiny holes in walls or buildings
Roofs and ceilings
Birdhouses built by humans
Fun Fact:
Sparrows use grass, twigs, feathers, and even paper to make their nests.
What Do Sparrows Eat?
Sparrows are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and tiny insects.
Their Diet Includes:
Grains like wheat and rice
Seeds and crumbs
Small insects and worms
Fruits and vegetables
Example:
If you throw rice or bread crumbs on your terrace, sparrows may come to eat them!
Sparrow Families
Sparrows are very family-oriented birds.
They live in groups and look after each other.
Baby Sparrows:
Baby sparrows are called chicks.
They are born naked and blind.
The mother and father feed the babies until they can fly.
Fun Fact:
Sparrows can lay 3–5 eggs at a time!
How Do Sparrows Fly?
Sparrows have strong wings and can fly very fast.
Flying Style:
Quick flapping of wings
Short flights from one place to another
They often hop on the ground rather than walk
Example:
If you try to go near one, it will quickly fly away to a tree or rooftop.
How Do Sparrows Communicate?
Sparrows are very chatty birds.
They make cheerful sounds that we call chirping.
Why They Chirp:
To call other sparrows
To warn about danger
To talk to their babies
During mating season
Fun Sound Fact:
Their chirping sounds like “chirp-chirp” or “cheep-cheep”.
Are Sparrows Smart?
Yes, sparrows are clever little birds!
Smart Behaviors:
They remember places with food
They build strong nests
They can escape from predators quickly
They stay together in groups for safety
Types of Sparrows
There are over 40 different kinds of sparrows around the world.
Here are some common ones:
House Sparrow (Most Common):
Brown and grey
Lives near human homes
Tree Sparrow:
Lives in woods and gardens
Has a black patch on its cheek
White-Crowned Sparrow:
Found in North America
Has a black and white striped head
Who Are Their Enemies?
Sparrows are small, so they have to be careful of predators.
Common Enemies:
Cats
Hawks and owls
Snakes
Larger birds
How They Stay Safe:
Fly in groups
Build hidden nests
Use sharp eyes and quick wings
Can Sparrows Live in All Weathers?
Yes, sparrows are strong and adaptable.
Weather Survival:
In summer, they stay in the shade or near water.
In winter, they puff up their feathers to keep warm.
During rain, they hide in nests or under roofs.
Importance of Sparrows
Sparrows are very helpful to nature and humans too!
How They Help:
Eat harmful insects (good for farmers)
Spread seeds that grow into plants
Keep nature in balance
Why Are Sparrows Disappearing?
In many places, sparrows are becoming fewer.
This is a big problem!
Reasons:
Pollution
Fewer trees
Too many buildings
Lack of food and clean water
Example:
In big cities, it’s hard to spot sparrows because of all the noise and tall buildings.
How Can We Help Sparrows?
We can all be heroes for sparrows!
What You Can Do:
Keep grains or seeds on your window sill or balcony
Place a bowl of clean water outside
Hang a small birdhouse
Grow plants and trees
Avoid using loud horns or crackers
Fun Activity:
Make a bird feeder using a plastic bottle and hang it in your garden!