Sparrow Coloring Page (4 of 4)

As the lucky, well-fed fukura-suzume, a finished sparrow carries a warm wish for plenty and is a charming small thing to display. This is the most detailed of the four sheets, well suited to a quiet hour. Free to print on A4 at home or at a day service.

About the Sparrow

The sparrow is one of the most familiar birds anywhere, a small, sociable creature that lives close to people and gathers in lively flocks. In the cold months it fluffs out its feathers to keep warm, taking on the plump, rounded look the Japanese affectionately call fukura-suzume, and its bright chirping near the eaves has long been part of the sound of an ordinary day.

In Japan that puffed-up winter sparrow is treated as a lucky shape, an emblem of a full and prosperous life, and it appears in traditional patterns and kimono designs as a small wish for good fortune. That warm, everyday familiarity is shared across every generation, which makes the sparrow a gentle and welcoming subject to color.

Benefits as a Coloring & Brain Training Activity

For coloring, the sparrow rewards attention to small details - the streaks of the wing, the neat bib at the throat, the soft round breast. Working those little markings is good, gentle practice for a steady hand, and keeping the breast pale and plump is a pleasant exercise in light and shade. The result is a charming small page that is easy to finish and nice to display.