Missing in City, sparrows thrive near airport

Bangalore: Even as the once ubiquitous House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) has made a silent exit from many urban areas in the City, its numbers have reportedly risen near the Bengaluru International Airport, adapting well to the new surroundings.
Citing the strange case of 200 to 300 sparrows present at the Devanahalli-based airport, Chief Naturalist for Jungle Lodges and Resorts, S Karthikeyan said: “No one can clearly say why the sparrows have disappeared and what will bring them back to our homes, but we need to make a beginning.”
To mark the World Sparrow Day, that falls on March 20, Bio diversity Conservation India limited (BCIL), ZED-Foundation and the Zoo Authority of India jointly launched the “Gubbi Goodu” or sparrow houses here on Friday. Ten thousand sparrow houses are to be distributed free to the interested citizens.
Deprived of food, shelter and security, sparrows had no option but to move to the periphery from the City. The exit of this chirpy diminutive intruder from the eaves and crevices of our homes is rued by many City dwellers.
18/03/11 Deccan Herald

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Categories: Airports Mar 2011