Quote Originally Posted by pluto View Post
In theory, 'little sparrow' is better, it's just a bird that I hate. English sparrows are not attractive, can't sing, make a mess, are aggressive, crowd out other birds. No redeeming qualities that I am aware of, at least for modern times. If someone called me his little sparrow, I might have to dump him for not knowing me very well
Also, sparrows helped kill Jesus! (At least, according to the folklore in some areas of Russia. Google it!)

Whereas ravens are sleek, black, smart, mysterious, maybe a little dark inside.
Hmmm.... the magpie (Russian сорока, so-RO-ka) is also sleek, partly black, and definitely smart -- they're known for their ability to imitate natural and man-made sounds (such as barking dogs, train-whistles, and doorbells), and are also known to use twigs as improvised tools. Because they can make sounds that resemble human speech, magpies are sometimes considered "gossipy" -- and the Russian equivalent for "a little bird told me" is "a magpie brought it on her tail." But you should ask a native Russian as to whether "soroka" would be a good nickname for a girlfriend, and what the correct diminutive would be.