Where Have The Sparrows Gone? (the feathered kind)

With the systemic use of neonicotinoids not only are the bees dying off, but also a large amount of bugs. No bugs to eat, no birds.

If the house sparrows die off, it will be a Good Thing. They are an introduced invasive species. They aren't even sparrows, they're weaver finches.

oldfartatplay said:

If the house sparrows die off, it will be a Good Thing. They are an introduced invasive species. They aren't even sparrows, they're weaver finches.

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they are the coolest birds. my favorite, in fact. i had one as my desktop until i got the fred flintsone pic

Not a fan of sparrows. We are lousy with them here in Calgary. My new nemesis here is pigeons. I didn't realize a bird could produce so much poop. We used to have jays, waxwings, woodpeckers, and all sorts of colourful songbirds, owls, falcons, even bald eagles. Now inner city, we get squirrels, sparrows and pigeons. I don't even bother with the feeder anymore because the squirrels will empty it within a few hours.

I did see my first House Sparrow today north of downtown Toronto. I guess they moved from the suburbs into the city.
I guess it was in exchange of rats coming from downtown to the burbs.

Lots of sparrows in Pickering.

They love our bird bath.

Mommy rabbit and her brood of 4 youngsters, chickadees, squirrels(blk and gray), finches.

We had a coyote in the neighbourhood as well.
We went around and told all the owners of smaller breed dogs, just in case. You never know.

cheezyridr said:

coolest of all birds

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In my opinion fwiw, the coolest birds are crows.
They are incredibly smart.

Lola said:

In my opinion fwiw, the coolest birds are crows.
They are incredibly smart.

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Yea, crows are interesting and smart. I just don't like their 'song'. Same with mourning doves.

My fave are chickadees. Cute birds and they sing some nice songs. I put out sunflower seeds and get quite a few on my back deck railing. If I'm not around, the crows will swoop down and eat it all up, which I don't mind either. But I'm really trying to feed the chickadees, junkos and other small birds.

Lola said:

In my opinion fwiw, the coolest birds are crows.
They are incredibly smart.

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i like crows alot too. i began liking sparrows because my pop pop became a sparrow for a little while. after that, i just began noticing things about them that i liked. with patience, you can get them to eat out of your hand.

***actually, the jobsite i am on right now, i have taught a few squirrels to recognize the sound of cellophane from a pack of peanut butter crackers. at morning break, when i go to smoke, i take a couple of crackers with me. i rustle the cellophane a little, and they appear. next thing you know there is a squirrel or two at my feet, waiting for a cracker. i do it every day, same time, so usually, they are looking for me when i arrive. i can't help it, i always have to play with critters when the opportunity arises.

Lots of them in my yard. We feed them though. All kinds of birds. Lately chipmunks too. All the activity has attracted eastern screech owls. Had one dive on me as I mimiced - got about 10’ from me.
Had a nesting pair of Merlin’s across the road last year.
And crows are amazing. Listen to them “talk” to thier young.

sambonee said:

Please post a pic of the sparrow you’re referring to. I get confused.

We have
two different woodpeckers
Baltimore Orioles
Blue jays
Barn swallows
Turkey vultures
Wild turkeys
Cardinals
And the rest. (NW OF Toronto )

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You forgot the crows. We used to live over on court street just north of Main St. and they used to sit in the tall pines and wake me up every morning.

It’s 4:56 am. Laying in bed listening to all the different birds sing their songs. I can count 5 I think different songs keeping me awake. We have a partially forested back yard and the birds just live to hang out here! They’re pissing me off though. Need to get at least 2 more hours of sleep. My windows aren’t open, AC on. These birds are so loud.

Did you know that crows don’t really sing to attract a mate? I didn’t. I have done done research on this amazing creature.

Lola said:

Did you know that crows don’t really sing to attract a mate? I didn’t. I have done done research on this amazing creature.

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That doesn't surprise me. TBH, their 'song' sounds more like one a mate would sing 10 to 15 years after the courtship.

What people call crows out here are rather large ravens. They will imitate other bird/animal sounds which is quite amazing. I enjoy them.
The racket of magpie's I find much more annoying.

there was a myna bird that lived in the woods near my house growing up. he was easy to find. all you had to do is walk around saying "i'm black bart" until you heard it come back to you from the treetops.

Sometimes, the nicely looking birds can be create the biggest problems.

Surrey peacocks 'pushed me to the edge,' says homeowner who cut down nesting tree