Species of the Month – February 2026
Acoustic monitoring at Mavronero provides continuous, non-invasive insight into local bird activity. Each month, detection data is analysed to better understand species presence, behavioural intensity and ecological patterns within the monitored area.
During the past seven days (as of 25/02/2026), the most actively detected species was: House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
1,901 detections recorded within 7 days
This high detection frequency offers measurable insight into vocal activity intensity and stable habitat occupation within the monitored acoustic radius.
About the species
The House Sparrow is a resident passerine species widely distributed across Europe, Asia, North Africa and many other regions following global introduction. It is strongly associated with human-modified environments, including urban settlements, agricultural areas and semi-rural landscapes.
Ecologically, the species plays a role in:
- Insect population regulation during breeding season
- Seed consumption and dispersal
- Serving as prey for small raptors and urban predators
Behaviourally, House Sparrows are highly social birds, forming flocks and engaging in frequent vocal communication. Their short, repetitive chirps are structurally simple but persistent, making them particularly detectable through acoustic monitoring.
Although globally classified as Least Concern (IUCN), regional population trends in parts of Europe have shown fluctuations linked to urbanisation patterns and changes in nesting opportunities.
Key ecological characteristics:
- Habitat preference: Urban, suburban and agricultural environments
- Feeding behaviour: Omnivorous (seeds, grains, insects)
- Social structure: Gregarious, flock-forming species
- Vocal characteristics: Repetitive chirping with consistent frequency range
Detection data at Mavronero
The species was identified through the permanent acoustic monitoring system installed at Mavronero.
(For detailed methodology, see our article on bird detection and acoustic monitoring.)
During the analysed period:
- 1,901 detections
- Consistent daily detection clusters
- Stable presence across consecutive days
This dataset enables analysis of:
- Activity intensity
- Temporal distribution patterns
- Persistence across multiple daily cycles
- Relative abundance within the monitored radius
Interpreting the data
What does 1,901 detections in 7 days indicate?
- Strong local abundance
- High vocal activity levels
- Stable habitat occupation
The frequency and distribution of detections suggest sustained group communication behaviour rather than isolated individual presence.
Short-term variations may reflect:
- Daily social interactions
- Foraging activity peaks
- Weather-related vocal changes
Consistent acoustic monitoring allows these short-term signals to be contextualised within broader ecological patterns.
Why this species matters
While conservation attention often focuses on rare or endangered species, common birds such as the House Sparrow provide essential ecological signals.
Fluctuations in detection frequency over time may indicate:
- Habitat modification
- Resource availability changes
- Seasonal transitions
- Anthropogenic disturbance
Long-term acoustic datasets transform everyday bird activity into measurable biodiversity indicators.
Monitoring abundant species strengthens our understanding of ecosystem stability and resilience.
Conclusion
At Mavronero, continuous acoustic monitoring supports science-based environmental management and transparent biodiversity reporting.
The House Sparrow, despite its familiarity, demonstrates how structured listening can convert simple vocalisations into meaningful ecological data.
Patterns emerge only through consistency, and consistency is at the core of understanding nature.
