Sparrow defies nature and joins Japanese family

Resident Yoshiko Fujino said she first saw the bird, named Pee Chan, in mid-November while working as a traffic guide for local school children. It followed her home, resting on her shoulder and not wanting to leave.

"He's like a family member - he's very comforting. It's fun, coming home to a sparrow," she said.

"My grandchildren have grown up, and there's none who are still small, so I don't know how to say it clearly, but he's like a family member."

Fujino assumes the sparrow, which appears comfortable in the surroundings, is wild, but also says she does not rule out the possibility the bird was once a household pet.