Sparrow is a bird that we meet very often in our country. It inhabits Europe, Asia and northern Africa. At the very beginning it inhabited semi-deserts and steppes, now we can meet it wherever there is a man. Swallow often called as a Barn Swallow is another bird from this section. Due to its lifestyle it is often called a migratory species. It inhabits a very wide area on the globe. Starting from EuroAsia all the way to Europe.
Coloring Book Swallow and Sparrow
Information
- Family: Swallows belong to the swallow family (Hirundinidae).
- Occurrence: They are cosmopolitan, found on almost all continents, except Antarctica.
- Appearance: They have a slender body, long, pointed wings and short legs. Many species have metallic, shiny plumage.
- Behavior: They are excellent fliers that capture insects in flight.
- Migrations: Many species of swallows are migratory birds that travel long distances between breeding and wintering zones.
Sparrow:
- Family: Sparrows belong to the passerine family (Passeridae).
- Occurrence: They are widely distributed around the world, although they originally came from Eurasia and Africa.
- Appearance: They have a stocky body, short legs and a relatively short tail. Their plumage is usually in shades of brown, although males can be more colorful.
- Behavior: They feed mainly on seeds, although they do not despise insects, especially during the breeding season.
- Adaptation to humans: Sparrows are often associated with urban areas and readily inhabit places near people, such as parks, gardens and squares.
Trivia
- Migrations: Swallows are legendary for their long-distance migrations. The European spring swallow flies from Europe to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter, covering thousands of kilometers.
- Mud buildings: The spring swallow builds its nests from small lumps of mud. These nests are often placed under the eaves of buildings or on beams in barns.
- Sign of spring: In many cultures, the appearance of swallows is treated as the first sign of spring and a symbol of the coming warmer season.
Sparrow:
- Cosmopolitan companion: The house sparrow is one of the few birds that have colonized almost every country in the world with man, including even urban environments.
- Communicative: Sparrows have a rich vocal repertoire and use a variety of chants and sounds to communicate.
- Diversified diets: Although sparrows mainly feed on seeds, they do not despise insects, especially during the breeding season, when they need extra protein to feed their chicks.
General trivia:
- Social birds: Both swallows and sparrows are highly social. They are often seen in large groups, especially during migration or at foraging sites.
- Rich symbolism: In many cultures, swallows and sparrows have symbolic meanings. Swallows can symbolize hope, love or homecoming, while sparrows are often associated with simplicity, everyday life or even divine protection.
- Climate variability vs. swallows: Due to climate change, swallows are arriving in Europe earlier and earlier each year. This affects the availability of food and may affect their future.
- Threat to sparrows: Although sparrows are common and numerous, many cities are seeing a decline in their populations. Reasons include pollution, lack of nesting sites and changes in food availability.