Local initiatives like nest boxes and sparrow-friendly habitats are helping bring these birds back, showing encouraging signs of recovery.
Once abundant across cities and villages, sparrow populations have declined due to urbanization, loss of nesting sites, pollution, and pesticide-driven food shortages.
Common in cities like Delhi and Mumbai, and rural areas like Punjab and Tamil Nadu, house sparrows are declining in urban zones but recovering in areas with active conservation.
The house sparrow was declared Delhi’s state bird in 2012. World Sparrow Day is celebrated on March 20 to raise awareness.
Smaller than house sparrows, Sind sparrows have chestnut shoulder patches and grey-brown plumage. They’re found near rivers and scrublands in Gujarat and Rajasthan.