Why Is the Scientific Name of Sparrow Important in Biology?
House sparrow is a bird which belongs to the Passeridae family and their average length is 16cm. They show sexual dimorphism features and female sparrows are pale brown in colour whereas most of the male sparrows are bright coloured with white, black and brown plumage. Beside the house sparrow, there are 24 more species in the genus Passer.
House sparrows show a wide distribution from the region of Mediterranean to Asia and Europe. Along with that they are also found in other parts of the world like Africa and Australia. The main interesting fact about house sparrows is that these birds mainly prefer to live closer to human settlements, feeding on seeds as well as insects. Due to their small size, they have many predators which vary from large predatory birds like hawks and eagles to cats and other carnivorous mammals.
They are mainly known as omnivorous birds, which mainly feed on seeds and substitute their diet with berries, fruits and small insects. Along with that, some species are also adapted to life in the city area like gulls and pigeons, these plump little birds are known to eat almost anything that they can find.
Division of House Sparrow:
House sparrows are divided into 2 groups, with 6 subspecies in each.
The subspecies are listed below:
Passer Domesticus Domesticus Group
A. European house sparrow (Passer domesticus domesticus)
B. Egyptian house sparrow (Passer domesticus niloticus)
C. Eastern Mediterranean house sparrow (Passer domesticus biblicus)
D. Persian house sparrow (Passer domesticus persicus)
E. Northwest African house sparrow (Passer domesticus tingitanus)
F. Western Mediterranean house sparrow (Passer domesticus balearic ibericus)
Passer Domesticus Indicus Group
A. Indian house sparrow (Passer domesticus indicus)
B. Turkestan house sparrow (Passer domesticus bactrianus)
C. Kashmir house sparrow (Passer domesticus parkini)
D. Passer domesticus rufodorsalis
E. Passer domesticus hyrcanus
F. Passer domesticus hufufae
Classification of Sparrow:
The scientific name of sparrow Passer domesticus.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Passeridae
Scientific Name: Passer domesticus
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. To Which Category Do Sparrows Belongs to:
A. Carnivorous
B. Omnivorous
C. Herbivorous
D. Frugivorous
Answer: Omnivorous
2. To Which Phylum Does Sparrow Belongs to:
A. Non-chordata
B. Chordata
C. Colentreta
D. Porifera
Answer - Chordata
One Word Answer:
1. Sparrows belong to which family?
Ans. Family Passeridae.
2. Sparrows belong to which order?
Ans. Order Passeriformes.
FAQs on Scientific Name of Sparrow: Explained for Students
1. What is the scientific name for the common house sparrow?
The scientific name for the common house sparrow is Passer domesticus. This two-part name is used by scientists worldwide to accurately identify this specific bird species, avoiding any confusion with other local names or different types of sparrows.
2. What is the complete taxonomic classification of a house sparrow?
The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is classified within the animal kingdom using the following hierarchy:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Passeridae
- Genus: Passer
- Species: domesticus
3. Why is it important to use a scientific name like Passer domesticus instead of just "sparrow"?
Using a scientific name is crucial for clear and accurate communication in biology. The name "sparrow" can refer to many different birds, but Passer domesticus refers to only one specific species. This provides a universal standard, allowing scientists from different countries to discuss the same organism without confusion.
4. What do the two parts of the name Passer domesticus actually mean?
In binomial nomenclature, every scientific name has two parts. The first part, Passer, is the genus name, which groups the sparrow with its closest relatives. The second part, domesticus, is the species name, which identifies the specific organism, often referring to its habit of living near human homes (domestic settings).
5. To which family and order do sparrows belong?
Sparrows belong to the family Passeridae. This family is part of a much larger group, the order Passeriformes. Birds in this order are commonly known as perching birds or songbirds and make up more than half of all bird species.
6. Why are sparrows described as omnivorous?
Sparrows are called omnivores because their diet is very flexible and includes both plant and animal matter. They mainly eat seeds and grains but will also eat berries, fruits, and small insects and larvae. This adaptable diet helps them thrive in a wide variety of habitats, including cities.
7. Is there a difference in appearance between male and female sparrows?
Yes, house sparrows show sexual dimorphism, which means males and females look different from each other. Male sparrows typically have brighter, more distinct patterns with black, white, and brown feathers. In contrast, female sparrows are usually a plainer shade of pale brown and grey.
8. The text mentions the Indian house sparrow. What does it mean for an animal to be a subspecies?
A subspecies, like the Indian house sparrow (Passer domesticus indicus), is a distinct population within a species that lives in a specific geographic area and has slightly different traits. While they can still interbreed with other populations of the same species, they have unique characteristics that have developed due to adapting to their local environment.
