{"id":11449,"date":"2024-04-22T11:22:44","date_gmt":"2024-04-22T11:22:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/?p=11449"},"modified":"2024-04-22T11:22:48","modified_gmt":"2024-04-22T11:22:48","slug":"are-the-house-sparrows-in-sri-lanka-in-danger-due-to-mosquito-coils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/are-the-house-sparrows-in-sri-lanka-in-danger-due-to-mosquito-coils\/","title":{"rendered":"How Are Mosquito Coils Impacting House Sparrow Population in Sri Lanka?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Sparrows are small passerine birds found worldwide. They are known for their chirping songs and friendly behaviour. They are often seen in urban and rural areas, nesting in trees, shrubs, and even man-made structures. While some species are declining due to habitat loss and other factors, sparrows are generally adaptable and resilient birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, a piece of recent news indicated that sparrows from 18 districts of Sri Lanka are extinct due to the impact of mosquito coils and other repellants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We decided to do check the background of these claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sparrows in Sri Lanka \u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sri Lanka has several species of sparrows. The origin of this bird is from the family Passeridae. <\/em>However, in Sri Lanka, the most common sparrow species is house sparrows <\/a>(\u0d9c\u0dda \u0d9a\u0dd4\u0dbb\u0dd4\u0dbd\u0dca\u0dbd\u0dcf). The scientific name of the house sparrow is Passer domesticus. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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They are common in Sri Lanka, mainly in urban and suburban areas. These small, chunky birds are known for their brown and grey plumage, with males spotting a black bib-like patch on their throat area during the breeding season. They are often found nesting in nooks and crannies of buildings, trees, and bushes. Despite being introduced to Sri Lanka, house sparrows have adapted well to the island\u2019s environment and can be seen foraging for food in gardens, parks, and even along the roadside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adult house sparrows mainly feed on weeds and grains. However, this behaviour can be adaptable to the environment in which it is lived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Population Drop of House Sparrows in Sri Lanka \u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

House sparrow population drops are commonly discussed worldwide. This situation is not one that Sri Lanka has faced alone. Several factors threaten the sparrow population of India, Europe, and many other countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Research conducted on house sparrow populations in India<\/a> has shown a few reasons for the population drop, such as other predators, human activities, urbanisation, pesticides, depleting food sources, and pollution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here<\/a> is another study which sheds light on a similar number of several factors which are contributing to the decline of house sparrows in Punjab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in the IUCN Red List, sparrows are considered the \u2018most minor concern\u2019 birds because of their conservation status. However, compared to the earlier 1990s, we can see an apparent drop in the number of house sparrows in Sri Lanka. In some areas, house sparrows cannot even be found easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here<\/a> is an article we have previously written on the effect of climate change on the sparrow population drop in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are the Mosquito Repellents Suspicious of Threatening House Sparrows? \u2013<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We contacted Dr. Jagath Gunawardana<\/a>, a lawyer, environmentalist, and educator based in Sri Lanka, to learn more about this. He indicated that the main threat that the humble house sparrows have faced is primarily human activities and the changes in human behaviour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He mentioned that he had seen house sparrows very commonly everywhere in the 1970s, and now, it is not easy to find them in their late habitats. The population drop of the house sparrow in Sri Lanka was visible. In the 1970s, malathion was sprayed in different areas, and a drop in the number of house sparrows was initiated then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Jagath Gunawardana said it is possible that mosquito repellents used by people negatively impact house sparrows. He observed a rapid drop in the population of house sparrows in suburban areas. In Particular, there are fewer house sparrows near human houses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it is possible to find more house sparrows in urban areas, especially in bazaar areas, than human households. Bazaars and stores are steaming with people, primarily during the day. At night, there is very little crowd in these places. The mosquitos are common in the evening and night times. So, mosquito repellents such as mosquito coils are common in the daytime, in stores, and bazaars. As a result, they can be impacted by the chemicals of these mosquito repellents. Dr Jagath Gunawardana said that according to these observations, mosquito repellents could be the main reason for reducing the house sparrow population in Sri Lanka. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Gunawardana further explained the possible threat of mosquito repellents on sparrows. Mosquito repellents include chemicals. An artificial pyrethroid<\/a> is one of them. Pyrethroid acts as an insecticide or plant-derived substance such as citronella. Synthetic pyrethroids are used in mosquito coils. These artificial pyrethroids have been shown to disrupt calcium metabolism<\/a> in animals. These chemicals can interfere with the functioning of voltage-gated calcium channels, which play a crucial role in regulating the flow of calcium ions into cells. Calcium is essential in birds for their health and reproductive success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n