| Sparrows are among the most familiar
groups of birds in India mainly because one species
in particular is almost entirely commensal with
man now. This is the House Sparrow, which is found
all over the country. The Chestnut-shouldered Petronia
also has a wide but much more rural distribution.
The Russet and Eurasian Tree Sparrows are restricted
to the northern hills and parts of the northeast,
the Sind Sparrow to a few sites in the northwest
lowlands and the Spanish Sparrow is a winter visitor
to the northwest south to about Rajasthan.
As a group the sparrows are rather dull, predominately
brown and grey birds but close inspection shows
some subtle and pleasing colour differences, as
shown in our photographs. What they lack in brilliance
of plumage they make up for with lively and interesting
behaviour and, generally, a confiding nature.
The adult males are readily identified but females
and many immatures are much more difficult to
separate. All species are between 14 and 16 cms
long with the Sind appreciably smaller at 12 cms.
They all have the stout, conical beaks of seed
eaters.
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