World Sparrow Day | How to Halt Their Decline

March 20th marks the beginning of spring, a season of renewal, as plants bloom and wildlife awakens from hibernation. This year, the first day of spring also coincides with World Sparrow Day – an important reminder of the declining sparrow populations and the urgent need for their conservation.

In the UK, we have two species of sparrow: the house sparrow, and the tree sparrow. House sparrows have the widest range of any wild bird, populating Europe, Asia, north Africa, the Americas and Oceania. However, in spite of their pervasive nature, their numbers have reduced drastically in recent decades.

It is estimated that house sparrows have reduced by over 70% since the 1970s, resulting in the loss of around 30 million birds. More shocking still, tree sparrow populations have seen 93% reduction since 1970 – with losses most prevalent in the south and east of England. As a result, both species are classified as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern, highlighting the need for proactive conservation efforts.

Reasons for the Sparrow’s Decline

The reduction of sparrows in rural areas is largely due to changes in agricultural practices, notably – a loss of winter stubbles and improved grain storage, resulting in a lack of available food sources. However, the reason for the decline of urban populations is less obvious. Here are some of the main contributors to the loss of this important species:

Urbanisation: The rapid expansion of urban areas has led to widespread destruction of natural habitats. In addition to the reduction of green spaces, modern structures often lack suitable nesting sites, resulting in fewer sparrow nesting attempts.

Use of Pesticides: Insects form a significant portion of the sparrows diet, especially chicks. However, with the widespread use of pesticides in urban gardens, it is increasingly difficult for them to access this vital food source and consequently, successfully rear their young.

Urban predators: Although their looks are deceiving, domestic cats are skilled hunters, and represent a major threat to urban sparrow species. As Britain’s most abundant carnivores, estimates suggest that UK cats alone kill a staggering 55 million birds per year. Over 400 patients a year a brought to Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital as a result of pet attacks. Many will require veterinary treatment even surgeries to repair the damage. Sadly, the injuries often fatal and little can be done save them.

How You Can Help Sparrows

Install Sparrow Houses: Providing suitable shelter and nesting habitats for sparrows helps to mitigate the impacts of urbanisation. One simple way to do this is to install a nestbox on your outer house walls. To install your nestbox, find a high spot such as the eaves of your house, at least 3 metres from the ground.

Ideally, your box should be north or east facing to avoid excessive sun or rain exposure. Although sparrows enjoy living in close proximity to humans,  it's important to avoid placing their nesting box near doorways or areas with heavy foot traffic. This will help minimise disturbances and provide them with a peaceful, undisturbed environment. If you are DIY savvy, you can build your own nestbox by following these RSPB guidelines.

Provide Feed: Sparrows enjoy a variety of feed, with favourites being white millet and sunflower seed. To attract sparrows to your garden, place your feed in bird feeders or on bird tables. Although several sparrow species are ground feeders, refrain from placing seed directly on the ground to avoid attracting rodents. Also, ensure to clean your feeding stations once per week with an antiseptic cleanser to prevent the spread of disease.

Leave Some Garden Areas Pesticide-Free: To support insect populations, consider leaving some areas of your garden pesticide use. Baby sparrows are fed almost exclusively on insects for the first two weeks of their life. By reducing pesticide use, you can provide a means for them to access this vital nutrition, helping to increase their survival and fledging rates.

Mind the Cat: Many cats love the outdoors. However, the average cat roams only 40-200 metres from home. To help protect wildlife from cat predation, consider investing in a catio. This enclosed outdoor enrichment space allows your cat to enjoy the sights and smells of the outdoors, whilst keeping both them and wildlife out of harm’s way.

If your cat is an active hunter, be vigilant of any prey they may catch. Even if an animal appears unharmed, cat saliva carries bacteria that can be fatal to birds and small mammals. If you find a victim of a cat attack, gently place them in a cardboard box and transport them to your local wildlife hospital as soon as possible. For your own safety and theirs, be sure to wear disposable gloves whenever handling wildlife, and keep contact to a minimum.

It was a tiny injured sparrow rescued over 50 years ago that inspired Brent Lodge and every day since, Brent Lodge’s dedicated team of staff and volunteers work to restore the delicate biodiversity of our planet. In honour of World Sparrow Day, consider supporting us today. Whether through volunteering, donating, or sponsoring an animal in need – you can play a vital part in our mission to protect wildlife.