#Ajayan
Kochi | "Vaa kuruvi, varu kuruvi," the old rhyme that echoed through the voices of tiny tots across Kerala, may soon fade into the annals of history as house sparrows near extinction not just in the State, but across the globe. A disconcerting shift has emerged with peacocks, traditionally seen as harbingers of drought, now flocking to the State.
Not too long ago, house yards, FCI godowns and grain markets bustled with hordes of sparrows. Gone are the days of cleaning grains by the kitchen side, a practice that once provided ample feed for these delightful birds. Today, all that remains are boxes and pots strategically placed in hopes of attracting these birds. However, conservationists lament the futility of this exercise, as the sparrows have long disappeared from these locations.
Bird watchers suggest that the decline of sparrows is indicative of the changing lifestyle and the expanding urban ecosystem. They do not agree with the notion that mobile towers have driven away these birds which also earned the nickname of ‘avian rats’ that colonized our homes and markets.
Bijoy KI, a passionate birdwatcher and photographer, laments the fading presence of traditional grain markets in Kerala, which once teemed with bustling flocks of sparrows. The decline in paddy cultivation has not only contributed to this change but has also led to the shift towards buying grains in packaged form.
Sabu Jahaz, director and wildlife biologist at the Research Centre for Environment and Social Sciences, emphasizes that the extinction of house sparrows is primarily due to a lack of food. In the past, transportation and the handling of grains led to spillages, which attracted sparrows. However, with grains now being packed differently and lifestyles changing, there are few offerings left for sparrows, including nesting places, he adds.
Poly Kalamassery, another avid birdwatcher, adds that pollution has also played a role in the decline of sparrows. The use of insecticides to preserve grains and pesticides in fields are contributing factors. Additionally, the increasing number of vehicles polluting the atmosphere has further pushed sparrows towards near extinction.
However, R Sugathan, renowned ornithologist and disciple of Salim Ali who has extensively traveled with the legendary ‘birdman’, has a different perspective. While acknowledging that the disappearance of any life, including the house sparrow, is concerning, Sugathan, who revised Salim Ali’s book Birds of Kerala some time ago, highlights the absence of references to the house sparrow in Ali's book, notes for which were made decades ago. This makes it clear that the house sparrow is not seen in forests. Sugathan suggests that there is a possibility that this bird arrived in India on ships from Britain, which often carried tons of food materials and subsequently settled in human habitations. He points out that there has been no major study conducted on this particular sparrow species.
Sugathan humorously describes the house sparrow as a "foolish bird" when it comes to nest-building. Sparrow nests are typically rough constructions made with tufts of hair, cotton and similar materials. These nests are usually found in crevices, small holes in walls and under tiled rooftops. However, modern urban structures, characterized by concrete buildings without eaves and crannies, offer little space for sparrows to build nests. In the past, sparrows would nest even in the shade of street lamp posts, but changes in street lighting have also eliminated this option too.
The ornithologist emphasizes that food availability is a key factor controlling population of any species. Changes in transportation modes have made food scarcer for sparrows. In the past, grains were transported in bullock carts, leading to spillage from sacks, unlike the sealed bags used today. The speeding trucks of modern times pose risks to these birds. Additionally, the use of pesticides in grains for longer storage periods could also be a contributing factor. Sparrows used to rely on gardens, abundant with insects, to nourish their young. However, the use of garden herbicides and pesticides has significantly reduced the insect population, affecting the sparrows' ability to find food.
Sugathan raises a thought-provoking question for those concerned about the decline of house sparrows: why focus solely on protecting them? While acknowledging the importance of protecting all beings, he highlights the plight of the native yellow-throated sparrow, which is found in forests too and is also facing extinction. He notes the lack of comparable concern for preserving this bird against the widespread efforts to protect the house sparrow.
