The Value System of Sparrows

The Spunky Bird. Visit Fowl Play for more bird photos, art and information.

These little guys got a personality, they are smart and have a more complex means of communication. There are up to 8 sounds in a single word.. More and more I can identify with them and the other wild life as I observer and interact.

They aren't wild as in the normal definition. They are merely emotionally independent from humans and physically too even though we feed them sometimes. And they put safety first. These guys have a totally different "and better" value system.  The emphasis is basically in this order.  Safety from predators or cars or any danger,  then food, then communication, then sex. The communication actually centers around safety, food and sex, but takes up a lot of their time.  What is different about their value system is that it ends there. there are no legal system, no technology, no jobs, or money to worry about, the earth provides their needs. In many ways I am admire their simplicity and intelligence in living, But there is more. Their pastime other than what I mentioned is something that if I could do, I wouldn't stop doing it, it looks so fun.   It's called flying. and they are  good at it. The remaining little time is left to take care of the feathers, bath and of course rest.

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Sparrows are the closest animal in a general sense to humans. They are close in the sense that they are near us and depend on us to a degree. They have other similar traits as they form communities and they are concerned about the safety of the others as well as themselves. Sparrows could live without humans, yet they thrive with the help we provide. From nesting spots to extra food, humans play an important part in the sparrows life.

But sparrows need no technology and do not even need fire nor the means to make fire. Which the means to make fire is the oldest and most primitive of technologies. Because of the way sparrows conduct themselves, they make very little mess, only a nest and droppings which take care of themselves. The nest is biodegradable, yet sometimes can be a nuisance to humans if built in an awkward location such as a vent.

Three's Company. Two females and one male sparrow together. Bird photography by Rybird. see Fowl Play for more bird images and information.

There is competition among sparrows and a great deal of their communication is built around this. They communicate about the same three basic values their lives are centered around. These are safety, food and sex. The female is submissive to the males, but the males compete among themselves. The exact details of this competition I have not fully understood, but the males will physically subdue the female when it comes to sex and the males will simultaneously compete against each other for the role of male sex partner. Their competition for food is similar, but less dramatic as they argue among themselves and then they will show physical aggression to determine the eating order.
I wonder what else we can learn from the sparrows and other animals that can benefit our outlook and way of life.   Rybird