DOES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EXIST IN HOUSE SPARROWS?

The spring bulbs are finally starting to show en masse , with snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils about to burst in to bloom when the weather warms up just a couple more degrees.

Of course this week has seen winter hold back spring a little, with this weekend potentially providing some snow again; though mainly for mountains.

Perhaps next week I’ll have images of the bulbs bursting through in colour.

One thing that has been proving very interesting is the behaviour of the make house sparrow. He has been regularly seen in the nest box during the day and when he is in there with the female, has been carrying out acts of ‘domestic violence’.

The female has been fighting back a little bit, but has taken some hefty pecks to the head and body. I’m wondering if this is normal behaviour in courting house sparrows, or is the make trying to usurp the female from the nest box, but doesn’t have a female to mate with yet?

 

 

 

 

 

The nest itself has been coming along slowly, as the images below show. They are of a ten day period up to the 17^th February.

I’m definitely seeing more birds in pairs now and there’s plenty of bird song about during the day.

It won’t be long before spring is fully underway, but I suspect that the wildlife will anticipate it before the weather presenters. The house sparrows will probably be a good indicator, because when nest building quickens up, it’ll be a sure sign that temperatures and sunshine hours will increase very soon.