Beggar sparrow (SciiFii)

The beggar sparrow (Passer mendicus) is a species of bird of the sparrow family Passeridae that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across Eurasia and North America to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relative of the beggar sparrow is the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). Like its relatives, the beggar sparrow is a highly adaptable bird and is able to use hollows, cliffs, and even roofs of tall man-made buildings. The beggar sparrow is very common and earns its common name because it is often found around restaurants and cafeterias, usually staring for long periods at people holding food. The beggar sparrows show a higher chance intelligence than the house sparrows, a response to the huge amount of information the beggar sparrow must process at all times. During the winter in cold areas, the beggar sparrows are very dependent on humans for food. As an opportunistic omnivore, the beggar sparrow primarily feeds on berries, seeds, insects, and man-made food, including bread and dairy to name a few. The beggar sparrow has an elaborate courtship ritual. The males will collect fresh, large leaves from a tree and construct a "bowl" by biting the veins and bending it. The male then collects food and places them in the leaf bowl. Once the females arrive, they judge the males based on how well-executed the bowl is, and how much food the bowl contains. Males fight frequently, as it's easier to steal the bowl or food from another male than creating their own. Males that fail to impress the females during this critical time doesn't get a partner and will have to wait until next year. This was first developed as the females rely on their partners in order to successfully raise and protect their chicks. The female beggar sparrows usually makes sure to get healthy and strong males. The beggar sparrow females lay around 2-5 eggs per clutch and are cared for by both parents. The eggs hatch within two weeks and the hatchlings fledge around 2 more weeks. Breeding occurs only once a year, but several clutches may be laid one after another. The average lifespan of the beggar sparrow is between 3 and 6 years, although reports of beggar sparrows living over 7 years have been reported. The beggar sparrow is highly gregarious and are often found in large flocks, breeding in large colonies in large trees, cliffs, and roofs of tall buildings. By nesting in large flocks, the beggar sparrows are not restricted by access to suitable cavities, unlike house sparrows. Breeding in large colonies also provide protection from predators, and by breeding in large tree cavities, cliffs, and building rooftops, the only real danger comes from predatory birds. Colonies of beggar sparrows will often mob predators until they leave the area. The pair constructs a loss nest made of grass, feathers, or other objects they find suitable. These soft nests may be blown away by the storms, forcing the beggar sparrows to collect new materials. One parent always remain at the nest, and the pair takes turn to forage. The nests at the edge of the colony are most vulnerable, and the beggar sparrows often fight for place closer to the middle of the colony. Colonies may contain over a hundred pairs. Uniquely, the beggar sparrows never defecate in or nearby the colony. Instead, the beggar sparrows defecate while foraging and will remove all droppings produced by their chicks. This behavior ensures that the beggar sparrows don't provoke sapient species such as humans by polluting the roofs and nearby roads with large amounts of droppings, giving this species of sparrow an advantage over house sparrows. The conservation status of the beggar sparrow is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the beggar sparrow's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii