Status survey and conservation of the House Sparrow Passer domesticus (Aves: Passeriformes: Passeridae) through public participation in Kannur, Kerala, India

House Sparrows Passer domesticus are one of the most widespread passerines in the world. A survey was conducted to find out their status in Kannur District, Kerala. The survey recorded 553 sparrows in 35 sites in the district. The perspectives of the public were recorded through a questionnaire survey and conservational inputs from the public were noted. Most of the respondents (47%) suggested the provision of nest boxes for the enhanced breeding of sparrows. Thus, our NGO along with the support of students, the public and the Kerala Forest Department, placed 100 nest boxes in various identified sparrow dwelling places in the district and it was found effective in the conservation of sparrows.