While domestic pigeons prove neighborhood nuisances in major cities, it’s the common house sparrow who rattles rural areas. Look above the entrances to any apartment complex or office building in the Midwest, and you’ll likely find reflective repellent to keep these birds from settling in public trestles. Some residents, like my neighbor—who from her balcony sprays sparrows with water—opt for a more personal approach. Ruthless and raucous, house sparrows deserve their reputation; comprising a global population of 540 million, they are one of the most invasive bird species in the world (Ackerman, 2016, p. 242).
