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Hi Peter,
There are undoubtedly a number of factors contributing to the decline of Ho=
use Sparrows. However one factor which has been pointed out by studies in t=
he UK is a reduction in the abundance of insects for nestlings. Whatever th=
e cause in the decline in insect numbers (pesticides, predators, climate ch=
ange, etc.), the hypothesis goes that less insects mean less protein for th=
e young which results in less healthy young fledging from the nest. These l=
ess fit birds don't survive very well in harsher, winter conditions.
The reason European Starlings are not declining may be attributed to their =
diet also. From the Birds of North America accounts:
House Sparrow - Insects and other arthropods during breeding season.
European Starling - Extremely diverse diet that varies geographically, with=
the age of individuals, and with season. Unusual abundances of food items.=
.. garbage, livestock feed, etc. are also exploited.
The diverse diet of starlings gives them a big edge when trying to survive =
and fledge healthy young in areas where no one food type is sufficient by i=
tself.
As Paul mentioned, House Sparrows used to be seen closely associated with c=
ows and horses and they still are. However most of the large animal operati=
ons have now been replaced with intensive agricultural crop raising farms. =
I'd call the resulting corn and soya fields deserts compared to the diversi=
ty rich pastures and 'wild' hay fields that used to be common even 20 years=
ago except deserts are much richer in diversity. House Sparrows have gone =
from being abundant and wide-spread to being locally common over that time.=
In my area in summer they are now focused almost exclusively around the fe=
w horse stabling operations that we have. In winter they show up at my feed=
ers.
All the best,
Lance
Lance Laviolette
Glen Robertson, Ontario
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] =
On Behalf Of Hubcove@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2015 5:57 PM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: EXTERNAL: [NatureNS] sparrows
In Halifax today and a friend was wondering why sparrows have virtually dis=
appeared in the city. While starlings are obviously flourishing. Wondered w=
hether anyone had the answer.
Peter Stow
Hubbards
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<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Hi Peter,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">There are undoubtedly a number of fac=
tors contributing to the decline of House Sparrows. However one factor whic=
h has been pointed out by studies in the UK is
a reduction in the abundance of insects for nestlings. Whatever the cause =
in the decline in insect numbers (pesticides, predators, climate change, et=
c.), the hypothesis goes that less insects mean less protein for the young =
which results in less healthy young
fledging from the nest. These less fit birds don’t survive very well=
in harsher, winter conditions.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">The reason European Starlings are not=
declining may be attributed to their diet also. From the Birds of North Am=
erica accounts:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">House Sparrow - Insects and other art=
hropods during breeding season.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">European Starling - Extremely diverse=
diet that varies geographically, with the age of individuals, and with sea=
son. Unusual abundances of food items… garbage,
livestock feed, etc. are also exploited.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> &l