14 Interesting Facts About Sparrows

Sparrows are ubiquitous little birds that are so familiar to most people that they are simply not noticed. But these birds are far from being as simple as we used to think! Therefore, we have compiled a selection of interesting facts about sparrows.

• Sparrows live not only in most of Eurasia – they are ubiquitous throughout Africa, as well as North America.
• Sparrows have successfully mastered human settlements and willingly settle next to people.
• The weight of an adult sparrow is only 25-35 grams, sometimes a little more.
• Sparrows are characterized by the manifestation of monogamy – these birds often form permanent pairs and live together all their lives.
• The average life span of a sparrow is about four years, although there are cases when these birds lived for more than ten years.
• Sparrows reproduce not once, but two or three times a year, depending on their habitat. In Africa, for example, they usually have offspring three times a year.
• The first monument to a sparrow for its fight against insect pests was erected in the USA, in Boston, in the 19th century. This happened shortly after the sparrows were brought to the United States to combat caterpillars.
• In the 60s of the last century, several billion sparrows were killed in China, as they were believed to harm crops. This was the cause of an ecological disaster since due to the thinning livestock of sparrows, insects that multiplied uncontrollably destroyed much more crops than birds. As a result, a famine broke out, and China had to buy sparrows abroad.
• Sparrows love to swim in the sand. In fact, they clean feathers like that. In winter, they often swim in the snow.
• A sparrow cannot stay in the air without rest for more than a quarter of an hour.
• During the flight, the sparrow’s heart makes up to a thousand beats per minute.
• Scientists have established that the homeland of sparrows is Southeast Asia.
• The Chestnut Sparrow is a real aggressor. He does not build his nests, preferring to drive out other birds and occupy their dwellings.
• The snow sparrow builds its nests in the mountains at an altitude of 5000 meters above sea level.