The History of Sparrows

Meaning of Sparrow

• According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, the word "sparrow" was originally used to describe any small bird by the ancient Greeks. Sparrow is also used to refer to small birds throughout many religious scriptures. Today, sparrow refers to the small birds that are members of the finch family. The house sparrows common to the United States are typically brown and gray in color, with small beaks adapted to eating seeds. They were named after the popular English sparrow and the European tree sparrow because of their resemblance to these birds.

European Origins

• The modern house sparrow originated in the Mediterranean region of Europe and eventually spread throughout most of the European continent, according to the Audubon Society of Omaha's website. By the time of its introduction to the United States and Canada, the common house sparrow was found throughout Europe, Eurasia, North Africa and the Middle East, according to the Sialis website.

Historical Reasoning for Introducing the House Sparrow

• There are many accounts of why the decision was made to bring the house sparrow to North America. Some believe the bird was introduced to the United States and Canada to bring wildlife that was familiar and comforting to the European settlers of the two countries, according to the Sialis website. The Audubon Society of Omaha points to a more economical reasoning behind bringing the house sparrow over from Europe. Green worms were eating much of the foliage of Central Park in New York City, and many experts felt the house sparrow would dine on the worms. Others felt house sparrows would be effective at eating grains from the horse manure building up in American cities, helping the manure decompose more rapidly. Still, others felt the house sparrows would help eliminate bugs eating through much of North America's crops.

Introduction to North America

• The first house sparrows were brought to Brooklyn, New York, in 1851, according to the Audubon Society of Omaha. Sialis points out that these original eight birds died before they reproduced in the United States. The following year another 25 pairs of birds were purchased from England in an effort to reintroduce them to New York City. Repeated introduction throughout New York and the Eastern United States led to the birds' adaptation to the differing climate in America. As their popularity grew, they were rapidly introduced throughout the United States in cities like Houston; San Francisco; St. Paul, Minnesota; Cincinnati; and Montreal.

Overabundance of House Sparrows

• This rapid introduction in the United States and Canada led to an overpopulation of the songbirds within 25 years, according to the Audubon Society of Omaha. There were other problems associated with the abundance of house sparrows in North America, as well. These birds formed a natural conflict with bluebirds, chasing them away from their nests in many areas. They also chased away other insect-eating birds and began to feed on the grain meant to feed the livestock on many farms. Today, there is still an overabundance of house sparrows in America, though the population has begun to decline, according to Sialis. The organization's website states that currently there are over 150 million house sparrows throughout the continental 48 states of the United States.