What protection level does the sparrow hold as a nationally protected animal?
The sparrow is the collective name for 27 species of small birds in the genus Passer of the family Passeridae. They are all small birds, very similar in size and body color, generally with a mottled brown and black upper body, which is why they are commonly known as sparrows. They are quite widely distributed, found throughout the world except in the extremely cold polar regions and high mountain deserts. Let us take a look below at what protection level the sparrow holds as a protected animal!
What protection level does the sparrow hold as a protected animal?
The sparrow is a national second-class protected animaland has been included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ver3.1 of 2013. Catching and selling them is now illegal, but many people are not aware of this. In fact, the sparrow is a typical bird that lives alongside humans, and it is precisely this natural habit that has made the species a victim of human activity. In 2000, the sparrow was listed as a national second-class protected animal.
The sparrow's habitat environment
Sparrows are mostly active in places where humans live. They are extremely lively, bold and approachable, but highly alert and quite curious. They mostly nest in human dwellings, such as under eaves and in wall holes, and sometimes they take over the nests of barn swallows. In the wild, they mostly build nests in tree holes. Sometimes they can be found nesting in individual trees, but sparrows are in flocks during all four seasons of the year, and old trees with many holes are usually their favorite nesting sites.
What food do sparrows eat?
The sparrow is an omnivorous bird, inhabiting areas near human settlements and fields. During the day it forages everywhere. In winter and early spring it feeds on weed seeds and the seeds of wild grasses, and it also eats various foods discarded by humans. When raising chicks, it mainly feeds on insects that harm grasses, most of which are lepidopteran pests. Because parent birds are relatively successful at protecting their young, and because their reproductive capacity is extremely strong, sparrows are more numerous than many species of birds, so it is easy for sparrow damage to occur during the crop harvest season.
The sparrow's breeding habits
Except in winter, sparrows are almost always in the breeding period. Each time they lay about six eggs, the incubation period is about 14 days, and the young birds leave the nest after about one month. They can breed at least 2 clutches each year. The nest is rather simple, and the materials used to build it are of many kinds, including grass, hay, wool, feathers and so on. Sometimes the nest is located among rocks, at the base of bushes, or under the eaves of buildings such as barns, but most are built under eaves and in wall holes. Each clutch contains 4 to 6 eggs, grayish white and covered with brown spots. The male and female take turns incubating the eggs, the incubation period is 11 to 12 days, and the nestlings are completely naked and only able to fly out and find food on their own after 15 days.