World Sparrow Day 2016: Your friendly bird is soon disappearing, have you noticed?

Do you remember the days when after the hectic schedule of exams in March, children used to spend 2-3 months at home, spending summer vacations? Life was easy and calm then and one activity which I used to enjoy more than anything else was the sparrow feeding activity.

Those early morning fresh mist, a little sunshine and the chirpy birds used to fill my hearts with their love songs. Occasionally they used visit my terrace in pair where I used to eagerly await their arrival.

In one season, they even decided to extend their family in my home, a step which was evenly accepted by my parents. My expectations knew no bounds and those impatient days of the newborn gave me both hope and motive.

Can’t forget that first sound and cute face of the birdie which gave me motherly emotions at the tender age of 12.

Seasons passed and I got busy in my so-called building life. School, college, job, marriage, things changed, time passed but one moment I always craved for is that soothing feeling of sitting beneath the shades in a park and enjoying that chirpy sound. However, we miss those!

Not due to chosen reasons but because we are playing with nature.

The house sparrow which was once visible in every home is disappearing fast. Once found in huge numbers across the world, the small bird is slowly making its way to the endangered list.

Today is world Sparrow Day and several across the globe are trying to prevent the species.

‘A sparrow is to the city what a tiger is to the forest’ can best sum up today’s grave situation against the friendly birds.

Many installed 'nest boxes' while others tried to spread the awareness through campaigns and messages.

However, it’s not enough! Hoardings that announce World Sparrow Day and talk of conservation is okay, but citizens need to be proactive in order to protect our biodiversity for future generations.

A few interesting facts about house sparrows! Read on.

• You can easily distinguish a male from a female by the feather coloration: males have reddish backs and a black bib, while females have brown backs with stripes.
• Your little sparrows are actually carnivores (meat-eaters) by nature, but their habits changed slowly, all thanks to their co-living with humans.
• They can fly at the speed of 24 miles per hour and can accelerate to the speed of 31 miles per hour.
• They can also swim very fast to escape from the predators and can survive between 4 and 5 years in the wild. However, changing habits have made them very social and now they can live in colonies called flocks.