sparrow

Everyday

A sparrow is a small, common, brown and grey bird that lives near houses, gardens and towns and eats seeds and insects. tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature lessons sparrows are among the first garden birds children learn; the house sparrow has become rarer in some places. In stories and poems the sparrow is a small, ordinary, cheerful bird. Phrases: «house sparrow», «a flock of sparrows».

Examples

• A sparrow hopped across the playground. tree →
• Sparrows were eating crumbs under the picnic table. tree →
• The house sparrow is a small brown bird. tree →
• We put out seeds for the sparrows in winter. tree →
• A flock of sparrows chattered in the hedge. tree →
• Sparrows build nests under roofs. tree →
• "They are sparrows, and good creatures. tree →

Note

Countable: sparrow, sparrows. Double «r». A «sparrowhawk» is a bird of prey that hunts sparrows and other small birds.

In Jewish tradition

It is a small bird that is alone, or finds a home near God's altar.

Interpretation. The Psalm picture of the sparrow at the altar is read as a longing to be near God's house. The lonely sparrow stands for the weak and sorrowful.

Examples

• I watch, and am become like a sparrow that is alone upon the housetop. (Writings PSA.102.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home. (Writings PRO.26.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young; Thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God — . (Writings PSA.84.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: sparrow, sparrows. Double «r». A «sparrowhawk» is a bird of prey that hunts sparrows and other small birds.