Schiller Woods is a beautiful forest located on the northwest side of Chicago. It offers various recreational activities such as hiking, biking, picnicking, and nature exploration. One of the highlights of this forest is the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump. The Magic Water Pump is a unique attraction that draws visitors' attention. It is a hand-operated pump that dispenses water from a well-like structure. What makes it magical is the illusion it creates - it appears as if the water is coming out of thin air! The pump is easy to use and provides a fun experience for both children and adults.
If you can't find people at a particular location you're unlikely to find a house sparrow, either. They are seriously domesticated.
BirdLife International, a European charitable organization, in 2015 gave a very preliminary estimate of total global population of house sparrows at somewhere between 896 million and 1. We use several types of cookies and integrations on this website to provide you with an optimal online experience, to increase the user-friendliness of our portal and to constantly improve our communication with you.
What makes it magical is the illusion it creates - it appears as if the water is coming out of thin air! The pump is easy to use and provides a fun experience for both children and adults. Visitors can take turns operating the pump and enjoy the thrill of watching the water seemingly appear out of nowhere. It has become a popular spot for families and groups to gather and have a good time.
House sparrows live where we do
The house sparrow's Latin name is Passer domesticus. Passer is Latin for sparrow. Domesticus is you in your house and yard — domesticated.
If you can't find people at a particular location you're unlikely to find a house sparrow, either. They are seriously domesticated.
House sparrows are common, not colorful, sing a non-song, and generally are ignored by serious birders. They are, however, very interesting creatures.
The house sparrow song is worthy of early mention. The bird says/sings cheep. That's it, that's the song, first verse, last verse, melody, everything. It is a bird song you can learn and probably sing.
Approximately 5,000 research papers have been published with these little birds as study species. They're popular study subjects because of accessibility and quantity. If a house sparrow is likely to help answer the research question being asked, being numerous and convenient is a plus. Many bird research projects follow the same path.
The passer family of birds is large in species and total numbers. There are 28 species worldwide, accounting for billions of birds.
BirdLife International, a European charitable organization, in 2015 gave a "very preliminary estimate" of total global population of house sparrows at somewhere between 896 million and 1.3 billion. Other estimates range from 520 million to 1.6 billion.
There is no question, however, about their distribution: everywhere except Antarctica.
House sparrows stir mixed emotions. They compete ferociously for nesting cavities. This puts them in conflict with native bird species, an issue for some birders.
Then, there are city dwellers who love house sparrows because they often are the only bird species at feeders or obvious in the neighborhood.
The Royal Society for Open Science, an English organization, has said, "The chattering balls of feathers bring a little bit of forest magic to city life." Many people who feed birds would agree. Cheep cheep!
House sparrows belong to an old world sparrow family. Our native sparrows, white-throats and song and chipping, for example, are new world sparrows.
House sparrows can be found in California's Death Valley, other passer species on Asian mountain peaks topping 13,000 feet. Most of these species are gregarious and will form large flocks.
In England there are records, or stories at least, of house sparrows breeding in coal mines, as deep as 2,000 feet. We assume they shared miners' lunches. One pair is said to have hatched three young that soon died.
In Minnesota the periodic breeding bird atlas, a census of sorts, calls the bird a common, regular, permanent resident here. Population numbers fall in the "no concern" category.
House sparrows came to this country in cages opened upon arrival in New York City in 1852. Another passer family member, the Eurasian tree sparrow, was introduced in St. Louis a few years later.
That bird has spread no farther than Burlington, Iowa, thought to have made a Mississippi River journey(s) aboard a grain barge.
Sparrows are ground foragers, feeding primarily on grains. They love farms and barns and grain elevators. They also readily eat waste foods.
In May 2021 the BBC website listed the house sparrow as the world's most abundant bird, using the 1.6 billion figure. Second was the European starling at 1.3 billion, followed by the ring-billed gull, 1.2 billion, and barn swallow, 1.1 billion.
Minnesota has populations of all four.
Lifelong birder Jim Williams can be reached at [email protected].
House sparrow fun facts
- House sparrows can swim fast enough to escape predators.
- The size of the black badge on the breast of the male house sparrow indicates condition. Bigger is better.
- When nervous, house sparrows flick their tails to ease tension. (They would tap their heels if they had heels.)
The Magic Water Pump has an interesting history. It was originally installed in the early 1900s and served as a drinking water source for travelers passing through the forest. Over time, it became a beloved landmark and was eventually given the nickname "Magic Water Pump" due to its enchanted appearance. In addition to its entertainment value, the Magic Water Pump also serves a practical purpose. It provides potable water to visitors, especially during hot summer days when hydration is crucial. The forest management ensures that the water is regularly tested and safe for consumption. Visitors to Schiller Woods can make lasting memories by exploring the forest's trails and enjoying the natural beauty it offers. And while they're at it, they can't miss the charming and magical experience of the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump..
Reviews for "Efficient Water Pumping with Schiller Aoods Magic Water Pump"
1. John Doe - 1/5 - I was extremely disappointed with the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump. First of all, it did not live up to its claim of producing an impressive water flow. The water pump I received was weak and hardly made a difference in the water pressure. Furthermore, the pump was of poor quality and started malfunctioning just a few weeks after I purchased it. I contacted customer support, but they were unresponsive and did not provide any assistance or solutions. Overall, I regret buying this product and would not recommend it to anyone in need of a reliable water pump.
2. Jane Smith - 2/5 - The Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump fell short of my expectations. While the product claimed to be easy to install, I found the instructions to be confusing and unclear. It took me much longer than anticipated to set up the pump properly. Additionally, the water flow was inconsistent and did not provide the power I needed for my garden irrigation system. I tried contacting customer support for assistance, but they were slow to respond and did not offer any helpful solutions. In the end, I had to purchase a different water pump from a different brand. I was ultimately disappointed with the Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump and would not recommend it to others.
3. Sarah Johnson - 1/5 - The Schiller Woods Magic Water Pump was a complete waste of money. Not only did it fail to produce the water pressure it promised, but the pump also made an unbearable noise that was incredibly annoying. I could not enjoy spending time in my garden due to the constant buzzing sound coming from the pump. Furthermore, the build quality of the pump was subpar, as it started leaking just a few days after installation. Attempting to reach out to customer support for assistance was futile as they did not respond to my concerns. Save your money and invest in a different water pump that actually works and doesn't create a constant annoyance.