House Sparrow
Place of Origin: Eurasia, North Africa and the Middle East
Place of Harm: North America (except for the northernmost section of Canada and Alaska), the sub-tropical part of South America, southernmost and northernmost Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Eurasia, central China, much of India, the western part of southeast Asia and southeastern Australia.
First Introduced: Late 1800’ss, first 1851, continual introductions later.
Harms: Agricultural losses and Displacement of Native Species
The house sparrow is strongly associated with human habitations, and can live in urban or rural settings. Though found in widely varied habitats and climates, it typically avoids extensive woodlands, grasslands, and deserts away from human development. It feeds mostly on the seeds of grains and weeds, but it is an opportunistic eater and commonly eats insects and many other foods. Its predators include domestic cats, hawks, owls, and many other predatory birds and mammals. They have no natural predators resulting in the abundance of them. Two significant threats were indicated by the literature: agricultural losses and the displacement of native species of birds, including robins, song sparrows, chickadees, flycatchers, thrushes, tanagers, bluebirds and martins. With respect to cavity-dwelling birds, such as bluebirds, sparrows aggressively claim and defend prime nesting sites and often displace other species that have established a nest and are incubating a clutch. Aggressive flocks of house sparrows also discourage other birds from foraging in the same area. Eliminating favored food sources is one of the easiest ways to discourage house sparrows from visiting. Some more passive methods include refraining from creating nesting spots or moving shelters. In extreme cases of house sparrow aggression or entrenched populations, it may be necessary to resort to stronger control techniques that actively reduce the house sparrow population. Options include shooting the birds, trapping the birds to kill them (relocation is not desirable because that simply moves the problem to another region) and destroying eggs or nests to prevent population growth. Before attempting these types of aggressive control techniques, however, it is wise to consult a wildlife management office – not not all tactics may be legal or suitable in certain areas. Compared to other birds European Starlings have a long breeding season spanning from January-July. Mating begins from March-August. Nesting begins after the Mating. Up to 4 broods(young birds) can be introduced every season. There are claims that, on rare occasion, the house sparrow is useful in eradicating insects. For example, an investigation by the United States Biological Bureau reported that house sparrows feed their chicks the larvae of the alfalfa weevil and cutworms, both of which harm alfalfa crops.
Place of Origin: Eurasia, North Africa and the Middle East
Place of Harm: North America (except for the northernmost section of Canada and Alaska), the sub-tropical part of South America, southernmost and northernmost Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Eurasia, central China, much of India, the western part of southeast Asia and southeastern Australia.
First Introduced: Late 1800’ss, first 1851, continual introductions later.
Harms: Agricultural losses and Displacement of Native Species
The house sparrow is strongly associated with human habitations, and can live in urban or rural settings. Though found in widely varied habitats and climates, it typically avoids extensive woodlands, grasslands, and deserts away from human development. It feeds mostly on the seeds of grains and weeds, but it is an opportunistic eater and commonly eats insects and many other foods. Its predators include domestic cats, hawks, owls, and many other predatory birds and mammals. They have no natural predators resulting in the abundance of them. Two significant threats were indicated by the literature: agricultural losses and the displacement of native species of birds, including robins, song sparrows, chickadees, flycatchers, thrushes, tanagers, bluebirds and martins. With respect to cavity-dwelling birds, such as bluebirds, sparrows aggressively claim and defend prime nesting sites and often displace other species that have established a nest and are incubating a clutch. Aggressive flocks of house sparrows also discourage other birds from foraging in the same area. Eliminating favored food sources is one of the easiest ways to discourage house sparrows from visiting. Some more passive methods include refraining from creating nesting spots or moving shelters. In extreme cases of house sparrow aggression or entrenched populations, it may be necessary to resort to stronger control techniques that actively reduce the house sparrow population. Options include shooting the birds, trapping the birds to kill them (relocation is not desirable because that simply moves the problem to another region) and destroying eggs or nests to prevent population growth. Before attempting these types of aggressive control techniques, however, it is wise to consult a wildlife management office – not not all tactics may be legal or suitable in certain areas. Compared to other birds European Starlings have a long breeding season spanning from January-July. Mating begins from March-August. Nesting begins after the Mating. Up to 4 broods(young birds) can be introduced every season. There are claims that, on rare occasion, the house sparrow is useful in eradicating insects. For example, an investigation by the United States Biological Bureau reported that house sparrows feed their chicks the larvae of the alfalfa weevil and cutworms, both of which harm alfalfa crops.
Essential Question
"Could a genetically engineered invasive species potentially be used in warfare?"