I have began killing European House Sparrows. These birds killed my 4 bluebird babies and then when the adult parents relaid eggs, the house sparrows destroyed the eggs. Some pesky squirrels that like to eat bluebird babies also paid the price. After doing quite a bit of research I decided to purchase a RWS 34 Diana in .177. This is a pest killing machine and more accurate than I am.
It looks like it's gotten pretty serious.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started this I had no idea how awful the invasive house sparrow is. It is a cavity dweller introduced from Europe that kills native cavity dwelling birds and takes over their nests. The HOSP is a lot like the snakehead fish. They just take over and destroy the native wildlife.
ReplyDeleteI see you've done your homework. I actually work as the Director of Education at an avian rehabilitation facility, so I'm very well versed in the history (natural and otherwise) of the House Sparrow. They really don't do well competing with our natives in undisturbed/natural habitat (I know that's getting harder and harder to find these days) far away from people. Our facility is located in a state park, and we really never see them here at our feeders or taking over any of the 100 or so bluebird houses distributed throughout the park. Where people dwell is where they thrive, but it is very interesting to know that they are actually declining in their native Europe. They're not listed as endangered there quite yet, but they are mysteriously disappearing from many areas.
DeleteThat is crazy that their numbers are declining in Europe. They are taking over here but I am on the border of suburb and country. I am glad to know you are the director of an avian rehabilitation center. I am going to have so many questions for you. This was my first year bluebirding and i am hooked. Ive turned the backyard (and front) into a bird friendly landscape for hummingbirds and cardinals and mockingbirds. It is too bad we can't ship these house sparrows back to Europe.
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