blackshama's commentary on Philippine issues

The ubiquitous Eurasian tree sparrow ( Passer montanus ) is a globally distributed perching bird. It's original range was in Eurasia but was introduced to Southeast Asia where it is a commensal with humans. It has modified its behaviour and life history to exploit human habitations. Where humans build their houses, the birds thrive. But that was when people had some gardens with their houses. The bird has been declining in numbers in much of Europe . In England, populations have crashed by 90% prompting calls to put the birds on the national endangered species list. In Europe the birds are largely rural rather than urban. Changes in farming practices are regarded as the main reason why populations have crashed. The birds need hay and winter stubble to make it through northern Europe's cold winters. Farmers left stubble when they sow in Spring. Since many farmers have shifted to autumn sown crops (partly due to warming winters), the birds lost a food resource. Another factor is ...