DOI: 10.17632/p8tfjg4cmg.1
title: Citizen Science Observations of House Sparrow (Passer domesticus): A Multi-State Biostatistical Analysis of Population Trends, Behavioral Ecology, Anthropogenic Impacts and Environmental Threats in India during COVID-2020

description: The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), once a ubiquitous avian companion in human settlements, has witnessed a documented decline globally, particularly in rapidly urbanizing landscapes. Historically, this species served as a bio-indicator of a healthy urban environment. However, as cities expand into mega-metropolises, the delicate balance between human progress and avian survival has tilted. This dataset provides a critical repository of primary data collected via a large-scale citizen science initiative aimed at monitoring House Sparrow populations across diverse geographical regions in India. By utilizing the power of public observation, this research fills significant gaps in formal ornithological data, offering a 21st-century snapshot of a species in transition. The study was executed using a structured digital survey deployed via SurveyMonkey, leveraging the widespread accessibility of smartphones to gather ecological data. Over 200 respondents participated, providing granular data on their most recent sparrow encounters. The survey was designed to go beyond mere presence/absence data, incorporating 10 key ecological and behavioural variables. This multi-dimensional approach allows for a holistic assessment of the species' health. By engaging "citizen scientists," the study captures data from micro-habitats that are often inaccessible to formal researchers, such as private balconies, backyard gardens, and restricted construction sites. Biostatistical analysis suggests that while a few large colonies still exist, the majority of sightings consist of small, fragmented groups. This fragmentation is a classic precursor to local extinction. A unique strength of this dataset is the inclusion of gender-specific counts. This data is vital for assessing the reproductive potential of urban populations; without a stable ratio and sufficient nesting opportunities, even a high number of females will not result in a population rebound. The most frequent sighting locations were House Interiors (56). The high frequency of "calling" without a corresponding high frequency of "nest preparation" suggests a potential "ecological trap". A cornerstone of this research is the documentation of anthropogenic threats. Respondents identified a "lethal cocktail" of urban pressures. The transition from open-air grain markets to packaged supermarket goods has drastically reduced food availability. "Other" threats, including vehicular pollution, industrial emissions, and electromagnetic radiation from mobile towers, were frequently cited. The biostatistical analysis of public perception indicates a staggering mean perceived population decline of 56.24% over the past few years. The data serves as an essential resource for urban planners and conservationists. Ultimately, this dataset is more than a record of a species in distress; it is a call to action for rehabilitating the urban ecosystems that both humans and sparrows share.