&lt;b&gt;Status survey and conservation of the House Sparrow &lt;I&gt;Passer domesticus&lt;/I&gt; (Aves: Passeriformes: Passeridae) through public participation in Kannur, Kerala, India&lt;/b&gt;

R Roshnath,P Gokul,D Sethu,C P Arjun,J Ashli

doi:10.11609/jott.3528.10.8.12098-12102

<b>Status survey and conservation of the House Sparrow <I>Passer domesticus</I> (Aves: Passeriformes: Passeridae) through public participation in Kannur, Kerala, India</b>

R Roshnath, P Gokul + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.3528.10.8.12098-12102

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Abstract

House Sparrows Passer domesticus are one of the most widespread passerines in the world. A survey was conducted to find out their status in Kannur District, Kerala. The survey recorded 553 sparrows in 35 sites in the district. The perspectives of the public were recorded through a questionnaire survey and conservational inputs from the public were noted. Most of the respondents (47%) suggested the provision of nest boxes for the enhanced breeding of sparrows. Thus, our NGO along with the support of students, the public and the Kerala Forest Department, placed 100 nest boxes in various identified sparrow dwelling places in the district and it was found effective in the conservation of sparrows.

Highlights

Materials and Methods A press release was published in all leading newspapers in the district to identify the potential sparrow inhabiting areas in Kannur District (Fig. 1)
A total of 35 sites were surveyed and 553 sparrows were recorded in Kannur District (Fig. 1)
Various conservational plans were suggested by the respondents (Fig. 4) of which the provision of nest boxes (47%) were the most recommended suggestion to enhance sparrow population

Summary

Introduction

Survey and conservation of House Sparrow as lack of old fashioned buildings and weedy gardens (Monika 2005), changes in agricultural practices, predators (Summers & Smith 2003; Vincent 2005; Shaw et al 2011), competitions (Vincent 2005; Khera et al 2010, Mason 2006), disease (Vincent 2005), environmental pollution (Chamberlain et al 2005; Vincent 2005; Balmori & Hallberg 2007; Dhanya 2011), electromagnetic radiation (Balmori & Hallberg 2007), lack of insect availability, nest sites, substratum, nesting materials, food items and roosting sites (Chamberlain et al 2005; Vincent 2005; Mason 2006; Bohner & Witt 2007; Klok et al 2008; Dhanya 2011). No studies in the population of sparrows were conducted in Kannur District.

Results

Conclusion