The House Sparrow is Declining!
Changes in nature often happen gradually. In the 1980s, it was commonplace to see the house sparrow. They were everywhere: searching for food on my doorstep and chirping together in our hedge. The house sparrows, with their familiar brown hues, were a natural part of our environment.
But that certainty is no longer there. According to the annual Garden Bird Count, house sparrows are still frequently counted, but their numbers over the long term are concerning. The silence left behind without house sparrows is a sign of how the world around us is changing.
This decline is a typical example of how changes in nature can pass by unnoticed. It doesn’t happen overnight; it happens gradually, spread over many years. The danger of this gradual process is that it can make us passive. Another report about the decline of the house sparrow feels less urgent, but it should be just the opposite.
In the largest Dutch cities, the house sparrow has decreased at an alarming rate. The increase in paved gardens and public spaces plays a crucial role in this. In city centers like Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and The Hague, more ring-necked parakeets are now observed than house sparrows.
Green Gardens and Parks Are Necessary
The causes primarily lie in our human actions. Green gardens and wild corners have often been replaced with paved backyards and over-maintained parks. And with the drastic decline in insects — the primary food source for young sparrows — it’s becoming increasingly difficult for these birds to raise their young.
Fortunately, we can help the house sparrow. This spring, plant shrubs and trees that are native to the Netherlands, such as elderberries and various other shrubs. House sparrows also love to bathe. They do this in water — such as in a shallow birdbath — but also in sand. Another reason to de-pave.
The number of house sparrows has been halved over the past few decades. A sustainable and greener living environment is necessary.
Source: Vogelbescherming Nederland, March 11, 2025
Working Group Green Play and Environment