Do house sparrows grieve?
For approximately 4 weeks, we have had a male house sparrow sitting on top of a bird box constantly calling using the typical call of trying to attract a mate. At the start of the breeding season a couple were showing interest in the bird box, but it was never used.
He starts calling at dawn and rarely stops all day only to take a short break to feed before returning to the top of the bird box to call, sometimes sitting on the front of the box and looking in.
Our neighbour has suggested that a sparrowhawk may have taken his mate and that he is calling for her? Is this likely considering the length of time he has been calling
We have both male and female sparrowhawks visit and seen them take birds, mainly young blackbirds, and cats also visit the garden.
Is it likely he is grieving or calling to seek a new mate?
Many thanks