“Fowl” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(flying). The Hebrew original embraces birds in general (Gen. 1:20; 1 Kings 4:23). The Greek provides the domestic limitation (Luke 12:24).
“Sparrow” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(spurrer). The Hebrew word signifies “twitterer” and is mostly rendered “bird” or “fowl.” Though tree-sparrows abounded in Palestine, any small bird meets the sense (Psa. 84:3; 102:7). In N. T. the reference is directly to the sparrow species, used as a cheap food (Matt. 10:29; Luke 12:6-7).
“Birds” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
Many birds of Palestine similar to our own. The “speckled bird” (Jer. 12:9) means a vulture. Birds were snared (Psa. 124:7; Prov. 7:23; Amos 3:5). Used for curing leprosy (Lev. 14:2-7). List of birds not to be eaten (Lev. 11:13-19; Deut. 14:11-19).
“Fowl” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
This term is used for every description of bird described as of the heaven and of the air, including those that feed on carrion, as in Genesis 15:11 and Revelation 19:17, 21; and those for the table (1 Kings 4:23; Neh. 5:18).
“Sparrow (Tsippor, στρουθίον)” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
House Sparrows
It is supposed that various kinds of small birds are alluded to by these names, being so called because of their “chirping,” which would include the sparrow. The Hebrew word is often translated “bird,” but only twice “sparrow.” It is alluded to in the Psalms as a lonely one upon the housetop, and as such finding a house in the courts of God’s house (Psa. 84:3; Psa. 102:7). In Palestine sparrows are plentiful, and five were sold for two farthings, and yet the Lord said not one fell without His Father’s knowledge, adding “Ye are of more value than many sparrows.” If God cares for the birds (and here the diminutive is employed), surely He will care for His own beloved ones (Matt. 10:29, 31; Luke 12:6-7). There are several species of sparrow in Palestine, the Passer cisalpinus, etc. The Petrocossyphus cyaneus, or blue thrush, may be alluded to.
“Birds” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
These are employed as symbols of evil agents: as, in the dream of Pharaoh’s baker, the birds ate the bakemeats he was carrying on his head (Gen. 40:17); and in the parable of the Sower the fowls or birds which devoured the seed by the wayside are interpreted by Christ to signify “the wicked one” (Matt. 13:4,19). In the parable of the Mustard Seed the kingdom of heaven becomes a great system with roots in the earth, under the protection of which the birds of the air find shelter (Matt. 13:31-32). The Greek is πετεινόν, the same in the two parables.
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Transliteration:
tsippowr
Meaning:
or tsippor {tsip-pore'}; from 6852; a little bird (as hopping)
KJV Usage:
bird, fowl, sparrow