What types of birds are there? Wild birds

Our planet is inhabited by millions of different birds. All of them are beautiful, unique and useful in their own way and live throughout the territory of our earth. Of course, it will not be possible to fit information about each winged species into one article. But we will try to find out about all the most common and interesting representatives of this group.

Most beautiful

Each bird is beautiful in its own way, but there are also those who, undoubtedly, are standards of grace , beauty and brightness.

The most dangerous

Strong wings, agility, powerful paws, long claws, impeccable hearing and vision - nature has blessed birds of prey with all this. List of bird names, which are the most dangerous and fight for their existence in all possible ways, and also hunt no worse than large predatory animals, looks like this:

Everybody knows, that such birds exist that cannot fly into the air. Fortunately, this does not in the least prevent them from leading a comfortable lifestyle and us admiring these creatures. There are several reasons why some birds cannot fly like all other birds. The first reason lies in the bones being too small and the lack of a keel, and the second is that the mass of some birds is too large for flight.

Everyone knows the bird ostrich cannot fly, but is an excellent runner due to its well-developed muscles and long legs. It should be noted that this is the largest flightless bird on earth. The structure of ostrich wings is quite primitive and also has a loose structure. At least the wingspan and can reach several meters, this is not enough to lift into the air a body whose mass varies from seventy to one hundred and fifty kilograms.

Emu Outwardly similar to the ostriches described above, however, many are smaller. Their weight can reach only fifty-five kilograms, and the height of the bird is about two meters. Emus are quite good runners, capable of reaching speeds of up to fifty kilometers per hour. Why can't they fly? The fact is that the wings of this bird are very small and poorly developed. An interesting feature is the presence of small claws at the end of each wing. Despite the inability to hide from predators in the air, emus are excellent at protecting themselves from many dangers with the help of strong legs and sharp claws.

Cassowaries are also quite large and their weight can reach sixty kilograms. Their distinctive feature is their brightly colored head and neck, which give the bird a rather unusual and at the same time attractive appearance. The territories where they live are in New Guinea and on some Australian islands. They take second place in size, giving first place to ostriches.

Total cassowaries are non-aggressive and try to stay away from people and populated areas, however, if you approach them at too close a distance, the birds will begin to actively defend themselves, and their offender will be in trouble, because without making much effort, the cassowary can kill the attacker using its claw - dagger on the leg. Fortunately, collisions between humans and this large bird do not happen very often.

External component rhea birds makes them look like ostriches, however, there are also significant differences in their appearance. The head is more round in shape, and the feathers are much more beautiful than ostriches and in some individuals are painted white. Rheas can boast not only of their powerful legs, thanks to which they reach speeds of up to sixty kilometers per hour, but also of their ability to swim across fairly large bodies of water.

Kiwi truly a unique bird. She is very small, with a long beak, ruffled plumage and a funny manner of movement. This species cannot boast of acute eyesight, however, their hearing and sense of smell are excellent.

The smallest

The diversity of bird species is truly amazing. They can be as huge as ostriches, weighing one hundred and fifty kilograms, or very tiny, weighing several grams.

A large number of large and small birds live in the vicinity of Moscow. Although the proximity of a huge metropolis makes its own adjustments to their habitat, the forests, fields and swamps near Moscow are rightfully considered their home. Let's look at examples of their most famous types:

White stork

Our list of "Birds of the Moscow Region" opens with the beautiful and majestic white stork

A large bird with white plumage and a long, powerful beak. The black shiny edging along the edge of the wings creates the illusion of a black back on a sitting stork. In the cold season, it migrates to Africa and India. The bird prefers to nest near human habitation on the roofs of houses or poles.

Golden eagle

Other birds of prey in the Moscow region, photos and descriptions of which are presented here, cannot be compared with the Golden Eagle. This representative of the hawk order is distinguished by its very large size. Its wings have a span of up to 2.5 meters. The objects of his hunt are rodents, hares, lambs or even small deer.

Great bittern

A rare endangered bird species listed in the Red Book of the Moscow Region. It has a black and yellow variegated color. The bittern lives in marshy areas and feeds on small fish. The bird is of medium size and weighs about 1 kilogram. A distinctive feature is a low trumpet voice, similar to a bull's roar.

Crow

This majestic large bird should not be confused with the common crow. The black color of the plumage with a metallic tint, a powerful beak and large body size distinguish the raven from this ubiquitous companion of man. Crows live up to 75 years.

Capercaillie

The capercaillie is another bright representative of the list "Birds of the Moscow Region"

A bird of the order Gallinae, the size of a turkey. Females and males differ greatly in both color and size. They fly very hard and noisily, not rising unnecessarily high above the forest. The bird owes its name to the structural feature of the larynx. During mating games it makes bubbling sounds, at which point it loses its hearing.

Rook

A close relative of the crow, but slimmer. The black metallic color and lack of feathering in front of the beak distinguishes the rook from it. He eats almost everything he can get his hands on. Small rodents and human waste, worms and grain - everything is to his taste.

Thrush

The blackbird itself is rather faded, but has bright accents in the form of an orange breast and beak

When viewing a catalog listing the birds of the Moscow region, their photos and descriptions do not attract much attention. The inconspicuous brown-brown variegated color of the back, white belly and rusty-red sides do not prevent it from emitting beautiful sounds, which can rightfully be called singing.

Little owl

A nocturnal bird, similar in appearance to an owl, but smaller in size. The owl's head is large with huge eyes surrounded by facial corollas. Above them there are black projections similar to eyebrows. There are no ear-like feathers. Owls often roost in buildings near people.

Yellow wagtail

The yellow wagtail weighs only 17 grams

A small bird weighing up to 17 grams. It has a yellow-green color. Her long tail is always in motion. The wagtail can often be found near ponds on tall stems of grass. Belongs to the order Passeriformes.

green woodpecker

A bird with a very beautiful olive green color. Comparable in size to a jackdaw. Lives in deciduous forests. He is very shy, so meeting him is a great success. Like all woodpeckers, it feeds on small bugs, which it finds in rotten trees and stumps.

Kingfisher

This small bird has a very unusual appearance. Large head with a huge spear-shaped beak on a short body. Weak thin legs and short wings complete this whole picture. With all this, the kingfisher has very bright plumage: its back and wings are blue, and the underside of its body is yellow. The bird settles on the banks of reservoirs, as it hunts near the water.

Finch

When considering the small birds of the Moscow region, the photo and description will be remembered by the fact that this songbird has very brightly colored feathers. Its chest is red-brown, and its back is brown-green. Thanks to this, it is clearly visible in nature.

Oriole

It has elegant colored feathers of yellow and black. The size of a starling. Sings very beautifully, like a flute. However, occasionally it can make a terrible sound, like a cat whose tail has been stepped on. The bird is fast and agile. Lives in forest thickets, flying in waves from branch to branch.

Mallard

This common waterfowl is the ancestor of the domestic duck. It has a body up to 60 centimeters long and weighing up to 1.5 kilograms. Sexual dimorphism is observed in the plumage, which consists in the presence of green iridescent head plumage and a white collar in drakes. The mallard is a game bird and a favorite object of hunting among hunters.

Kobchik

Belongs to the order Falconiformes. The falcon is a mini falcon. The color is black, males have brick-red “pants”, and females have red heads and lower bodies. Like all representatives of Falconiformes, it is an excellent hunter. It is a predator that hunts for small rodents, quickly grabbing them with its tenacious claws from above.

Landrail

The body size of the corncrake is from 20 to 22 centimeters. The body is elongated. The color of the feathers is gray or buffy-red. The beak is short. Likes to nest near swamps or in wet meadows. Winters in central Africa. This bird doesn't like to fly. In case of danger, it prefers to run away or fly close.

Merlin

A large representative of Falconiformes with blunted wings. It has a light color, which can be either pure white or gray. Prefers northern regions, but in some winters it was also found in the Moscow region. The objects of his hunt are small birds.

mute swan

A pure white beautiful bird with an orange beak equipped with a black growth. The black legs are webbed for swimming. The swan flies and swims beautifully, but walks poorly on the ground. The weight of a swan can reach 18 kilograms, and its wingspan is 220 centimeters.

Coot

The duck-like game bird is black in color with a white beak and bald forehead, from which it owes its name. A relative of the corncrake. There are no webbed feet, but it moves well through swamps and water. The beak is more like a chicken's. For this reason it is sometimes called the “swamp chicken”.

Burying ground

The Imperial Eagle is a very large bird of prey. In Central Asia, it builds nests on ancient mounds. This is why it got such a terrible name. It can soar high in the air for hours, tracking down prey. It runs beautifully on the ground in the morning, waiting for warm air currents to fly.

Moskovka

Bird of the tit family. Slightly smaller than the common tit and differs from it in the color of its plumage. Black head and wings in composition with a white belly. It prefers to live in coniferous forests, but often flies to parks to feast on feeders.

Common cuckoo

A gray bird the size of a magpie. Has a long tail. In the first half of summer it makes characteristic “kuckoo” sounds. A peculiarity of this species is that the females do not hatch the chicks, but “throw” eggs to other birds.

Common bullfinch

A very bright representative of the feathered family. The bright red breasts of bullfinches are very clearly visible in winter against the white snow. They feed on fruits and berries left on the trees. The bullfinch is no larger than a starling.

The black-headed gull is much smaller than the sea gull

Distributed everywhere in our country. It has white plumage with a black head. Eats fish. Breeds near freshwater bodies of water. The size of this gull is much smaller than its marine relative.

White-tailed eagle

A large representative of accipitridae, which reaches a mass of 7 kilograms. Males are much smaller than females. The bird is brown in color, with the exception of the white tail plumage. This species is distinguished by its constancy in choosing a pair.

Grouse

The forest bird is a relative of the domestic chicken. It has brown plumage with a gray belly. Males have bright red eyebrows and their heads are topped with a crest.

Waxwing

Very beautiful winter birds. They have bright plumage with red, yellow and brick-colored elements. The head is decorated with a chic crest. You can often see them on rowan trees, eating berries left over for the winter.

Hoodie

Doesn't need any special introduction. A bird settles next to a person. It feeds on its waste products.

Jay

The jay is the most hardworking bird that worries about winter supplies in advance

When studying the birds of the Moscow region, photos and descriptions should also be taken into account, since this is the most hardworking bird that prepares its supplies for the winter.

Nightingale

King of the song. Despite its small size, it has an exceptionally beautiful voice. It’s not for nothing that the comparison “sings like a nightingale” exists.

It includes a number of extinct species, as well as 5 living orders, including:

Order Cassowaries (Cassowaries and Emu)

Cassowaries and emus from the order of cassowaries, or Australian ostriches ( Casuariformes), are large, flightless birds, with long necks and legs. They have long feathers that resemble coarse fur, but the head and neck are almost hairless.

There are four extant species of cassowaries:

• Helmeted cassowary ( Casuarius casuarius);
• Orange-necked cassowary ( C. unappendiculatus);
• Cassowary-muruk ( C. bennetti);
• Emu ( Dromaius novaehollandiae).

Order Kiwiformes (Kiwi)

Experts do not agree on the exact number of species belonging to the order Kiwiformes ( Apterygiformes), but there are at least three: the southern kiwi, the great gray kiwi and the small gray kiwi. According to the latest data, scientists have identified two more species: the northern brown kiwi and Apteryx rowi.

Birds from this order are endemic to New Zealand. Kiwis are flightless birds with tiny, almost vestigial wings. They are strictly birds, digging out larvae and earthworms at night using their long, narrow beaks.

New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi, is vulnerable to diseases including dogs, which were introduced to these islands hundreds of years ago by European settlers.

Order Rheaformes (Nandu)

There are only two species of rhea in the order Rheaformes ( Rheiformes), both of which live in the , and steppes of South America. These flightless birds have long feathers and three toes on each foot; they also have claws on each wing, which are used during defense.

Rheas are similar to ostriches in appearance, however, the extent of their relationship remains controversial among scientists. The body size of rheas is almost half the size of ostriches.

Order Ostriformes (Ostriches)

The only surviving representative of the order Ostrichidae ( Struthioniformes) - African ostrich ( Struthio camelus), who is considered a real record holder. Not only is it the tallest and heaviest living bird, but the ostrich can also reach speeds of up to 70 km/h, and can also run long distances at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Ostriches have the largest eyes of any vertebrate, and their eggs, weighing up to 2 kg, are the largest of any living bird.

Subclass New palatines

New palatines (Neognathae) birds have a much longer history that reaches the Mesozoic era and this subclass includes 25 orders, such as:

Order Aciformes, or Ankleidae (Storks, herons, ibises, etc.)

The order of birds is stork-like, or wavy-footed ( Ciconiiformes) includes herons, storks, ibises and others, more than 100 species in total. All of these birds are long-legged, sharp-billed carnivores that live in wetlands. Their long, flexible toes are unwebbed, allowing them to stand in thick mud without drowning. Most are solitary hunters, slowly stalking their prey before quickly striking with their powerful beaks; they feed on fish, amphibians and insects.

The earliest known ancestors of today's herons, storks and their relatives date back to the Late Era, about 40 million years ago. The closest living relatives are flamingos.

Order Shearwaters (Albatrosses and petrels)

Albatross

Birds in the order Petrel-like ( Procellariiformes), also known as tubenoses, include more than 125 living species, placed into four extant families:

• Petrels ( Procellariidae);
• Albatross ( Diomedeidae);
• Stormbreeds ( Hydrobatidae);
• Diving petrels ( Procellariidae).

These birds spend most of their time at sea, flying over the water and diving into it to catch fish and other small ones. Tubebills are colonial birds that return to land only to breed (breeding sites vary by species, but in general these birds prefer remote islands and rugged coastal cliffs), they are monogamous and form long-term bonds between mating pairs.

The largest species of the order are wandering albatrosses, whose wingspan reaches 3.25 m. The smallest species is Halocyptena microsoma- has a wingspan of less than 30 cm.

Order Passeriformes (Sparrows, starlings, crows, etc.)

Order passeriformes ( Passeriformes), are the most diverse group of birds, consisting of more than 5,000 species, including: sparrows, finches, thrushes, starlings, crows, swallows, larks and many others. These birds have a unique leg structure that allows them to tightly grasp thin twigs, reeds and fragile grass stems; some species can even cling to vertical surfaces, including mountain slopes and tree trunks.

In addition to their unique leg structure, passerines are distinguished by their complex vocalizations. Although these are not the only birds capable of making sounds using the syrinx, this organ is the most developed in passerines. Each member of the squad has unique sounds, some of them simple, others long and complex. Some species learn vocalizations from their parents, while others are born with the innate ability to sing.

Order Loons (Loons)

Order of birds ( Gaviiformes) includes five living species of loons: the red-throated loon, the black-throated loon,
the white-necked loon, the black-billed loon and the white-billed loon. Loons are freshwater waterfowl common in the northern parts and Eurasia. The legs located behind their bodies provide the bird with strength in the water, but make these birds clumsy on land. Gaviiformes They have fully webbed feet, elongated bodies, and dagger-shaped beaks well suited for capturing fish and other aquatic invertebrates.

These birds go to land to nest and build their nests close to water. Both parents care for the chicks, who sit on the adults' backs for protection until they are ready to live independently.

Order Pigeonidae (Pigeons and turtle doves)

Order Pigeonidae ( Columbiformes) includes more than 300 species of pigeons, including rock pigeons, pigeons, turtle doves, ringed doves, crowned pigeons, etc. Pigeons are small to medium-sized birds characterized by short legs, purple coloring, short necks and small heads. Pigeons have short beaks that are hard at the tip but softer at the base.

These birds are common in meadows, fields, deserts, farmlands and cities. They also, to a lesser extent, inhabit and, as well as.

Order Anseriformes (Ducks, geese, swans, etc.)

Bird order Anseriformes ( Anseriformes) includes ducks, geese, swans, etc., which tend to be somewhat irritable due to loud calls. There are about 150 living species in this order. Most prefer freshwater habitats such as lakes, streams and ponds, but some live in marine regions, at least during the breeding season.

All Anseriformes are equipped with webbed feet, which allow them to move more easily through the water. However, you may be surprised to learn that most of these birds are exclusively herbivores; only a few species feed on insects, molluscs, plankton, fish and crustaceans. Anseriformes often find themselves on the downside, not only because of the people who love their meat, but also because of coyotes, foxes, raccoons and even striped skunks.

Order Woodpeckers (Woodpeckers, toucans, etc.)

In the order of woodpeckers ( Piciformes) includes woodpeckers, toucans, puffbirds, nonnulas, nuns, brachygalbas, jacamaras, honeyguides, etc., about 400 species in total. These birds love to nest in trees; and the most famous birds of the order Piciformes- woodpeckers - tirelessly gouge holes in tree trunks with their beaks. Some species are antisocial, showing aggression towards other species or even their own birds, while others live well in large groups.

Thanks to the structure of their paws, oti easily climb tree trunks. For many Piciformes they also have strong legs and stout tails, as well as thick skulls that protect their brains from the effects of wood gouging. Beak shapes vary widely among members of this order.

Woodpeckers and their related species are found in most parts of the world, with the exception of Madagascar and Madagascar.

Order Crane-like (Cranes, coots, rails, etc.)

Red-crowned crane

Order Craniformes ( Gruiformes) includes about 200 living species. Members of the order vary widely in size and appearance, but are generally characterized by their short tails, long necks and rounded wings.

Cranes with long legs and necks are the largest members squad; The Indian crane is more than 1.7 m high and has a wingspan of up to 2.5 m.

AND Uraliformes also include birds that do not fit into other orders in their characteristics. Currently, the detachment includes 9 living families.

Order Nightjars

In the order Nightjars ( Caprimulgiformes) there are about 100 species of birds distributed throughout the world, with the exception of Antarctica. Their patterned feathers are often quite variegated, so they fit well into their preferred feathers (these birds tend to nest either on the ground or in trees).

In the modern classification, the nightjar order includes 5 families:

• Guajaro ( Steatornithidae);
• Frogmouths ( Podargidae);
• Gigantic nightjars ( Nyctibiidae);
• Owl Nightjars ( Aegothelidae);
• True nightjars ( Caprimulgidae).

Order Cuculiformes (Cuckoos)

Common cuckoo

Order Cuckoo-shaped ( Cuculiformes) includes the only family of cuckoos, which has about 140 species.

Cuckoos are medium-sized, thin-skinned birds that live in savannahs and feed primarily on insects and insect larvae. Some species of cuckoo are known to plant their eggs in other people's nests, and when a cuckoo chick hatches, it will sometimes push other chicks out of the nest!

Order Galliformes (Guinea fowl, pheasants, partridges and crucians)

Common pheasant

Some representatives of Galliformes ( Galliformes) are well known to people who love to eat bird meat, including pheasants, quail, turkeys, guinea fowl and others. In total, this order includes 5 families and about 250 species. Many of the less familiar birds are subject to intense hunting pressure and are now facing extinction. Other members of the order, such as chickens, quails and turkeys, have been fully domesticated and are often raised in huge quantities on farms around the world.

The smallest galliform species is the painted quail, which has a body length of less than 15 cm; the largest species of the order is the North American wild turkey, which can reach a length of more than 1 m and a weight of about 8 kg.

Order Pelicanidae (Pelicans, herons and ibises)

To the order pelican-like ( Pelecaniformes) include the families: pelicans, herons, shoebills, hammerheads and ibis. These birds are characterized by their webbed feet and their various anatomical adaptations for catching fish, their main food source; many species are excellent divers and swimmers.

Pelicans, the most famous members of the order, have special leather pouches at the bottom of their beaks that allow the birds to effectively catch and hold fish. There are eight species of pelicans in total.

Order Penguinaceae (Pigguins)

Order penguin-like ( Sphenisciformes) includes six genera and about 20 species of penguins. The most diverse are the crested penguins, a genus that includes 6 species.

Parrots are monogamous, forming strong pairs. Most parrots feed almost exclusively on fruits, seeds, nuts, flowers and nectar, but some species may eat (such as invertebrate larvae) or small animals (such as snails).

Mouse Bird Squad

Bird Squad Coliiformes includes six living species of mousebirds that deftly climb trees in search of fruits, berries and the occasional insect. These birds are restricted to the open forests, scrub and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. They usually gather in flocks of up to thirty individuals, except during the breeding season.

One interesting fact about mousebirds is that they were much more numerous in late times than they are today; in fact, some naturalists refer to these virtually unknown birds as "living fossils."

Order Coraciiformes (Kingfishers, bee-eaters, rakshas, ​​etc.)

Coraciiformes ( Coraciiformes) is an order of mainly carnivorous birds, which includes kingfishers, bee-eaters, ground rakshas, ​​rollers, broadmouths, etc. Some members of this order are solitary, while others form large groups. Many species are brightly colored, and all have feet with three toes pointing forward and one toe pointing backward. Coraciiformes They like to nest in holes in trees or dig tunnels in the mud along river banks.

According to modern classification, the order Coraciiformes is divided into 6 families:

• Kingfishers ( Alcedinidae);
• Earth rakshas ( Brachypteraciidae);
• Roller or true raksha ( Coraciidae);
• Shchurkov ( Meropidae);
• Momotovs ( Momotidae);
• Todievs ( Todidae).

Order Charadriiformes

Order Charadriiformes ( Charadriiformes) has about 350 species of birds found along coastlines. Charadriiformes are skilled fliers; some species undertake the longest and most spectacular migrations in the class of birds.

Charadriiformes eat a wide variety of foods, including marine worms, crustaceans and earthworms, but surprisingly, they almost never eat fish!

Order Fritillary (Hooved and Grouse)

Representatives of the order Fritillaria ( Pteroclidiformes) are medium-sized birds native to Africa, Madagascar, the Middle East, Central Asia, India and the Iberian Peninsula. There are 16 species of fritillaries, which belong to two genera.

Sandgrouse are characterized by their small heads, short necks, short, feathered legs, and ragged bodies; Their tails and wings are long and sharp, good for taking off quickly to escape predators.

Order Owls (Owls, owls, eagle owls, barn owls, etc.)

Order Owls ( Strigiformes) consists of more than 200 species, medium to large birds equipped with strong claws, good hearing, and keen eyesight. Because they hunt at night, owls have especially large eyes (which help them see in the dark) as well as binocular vision, which helps them see prey better.

They are opportunistic carnivores, feeding on everything from small mammals, reptiles and insects to other birds. Having no teeth, they swallow their prey whole and after about six hours regurgitate the indigestible parts of the eaten prey.

Owls live on every continent except Antarctica. They are found in a wide variety of terrestrial habitats, ranging from dense forests to wide-open grasslands.

Order Falconiformes (Birds of Prey)

Black vulture

Falconiformes ( Falconiformes), or birds of prey, include eagles, hawks, kites, secretary birds, ospreys, falcons, vultures and vultures, about 300 species in total. Representatives of the order are formidable predators, with powerful claws, twisted beaks, keen vision and wide wings, well suited for flight and diving. Falconiformes hunt during the day, feeding on fish, small mammals, reptiles, other birds and abandoned carrion.

The largest bird of prey is the Andean condor, whose wingspan approaches 3 m. One of the smallest birds of prey is the steppe kestrel, with a wingspan of less than 75 cm.

Order Swifts (Hummingbirds and Swifts)

Order of swift-shaped, or long-winged ( Apodiformes) is the most numerous in the class of birds after passerines, it has about 450 species of swifts and hummingbirds. In the Sibley-Ahlquist classification, this order rises to a superorder Apodimorphae, in which hummingbirds are separated into a separate order Trochiliformes.

Birds are characterized by their small size, short legs and tiny feet. Hummingbirds and swifts included in this group also have numerous adaptations for specialized flight.

Hummingbirds are common in different areas of North, Central and South America, and swifts can be found on all continents of the world, with the exception of Antarctica. Earliest known members Apodiformes were fast birds that evolved during the early Eocene era in northern Europe about 55 million years ago; Hummingbirds appeared a little later, they separated from the early swifts after the late Eocene.

Order Trogoniformes (Trogon and Quezal)

In the order trogon-like ( Trogoniformes) there are about 40 species of trogons and quesals, tropical forest birds found in the Americas, southern Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. These birds are characterized by short beaks, rounded wings and long tails, and many are brightly colored. They feed mainly on insects and fruits, and also build their nests in trees or abandoned insect burrows.

Mysterious as their vaguely alien names, trogans and quesals have proven difficult to classify: in the past, scientists have grouped these birds with all orders, from owls and parrots to tinamoiformes. However, recent molecular evidence indicates that trogons are closely related to the Coraciiformes, with which they may have diverged as early as 50 million years ago. These birds are rarely found in the wild and are considered particularly valuable finds by ornithologists.

Order Turaciformes (Turacos and banana eaters)

Turaciformes ( Musophagidae) - a detachment of birds that were previously classified as cuckoo-like birds. Recent genetic analysis has confirmed that it is a separate order.

Musophagidae are medium-sized birds endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, where they live in forests and savannah. They fly poorly, but move quickly through trees. They feed mainly on fruits and to a lesser extent on leaves, buds and flowers, and occasionally eat small insects, snails, and slugs.

These are gregarious birds that do not migrate, but gather in family groups of up to 10 individuals. Many species can produce high-pitched alarm calls that alert other animals to the presence of predators or humans.

Order Flamingiformes (Flamingos)

Wintering birds are those that remain in their native land all year round. Animals are guided not so much by air temperature as by their personal abilities and the specific food supply of the region.

Warmth in cold weather is only provided by well-fed birds. This means that a wintering bird must be able to find food among the snow. Accordingly, insectivorous species migrate in winter. Those who are content with berries, seeds and predators who hunt mice and hares remain. There are about 70 wintering bird species in Russia.

Pigeon

Their body temperature, like that of other birds, is 41 degrees. This is another proof that birds don’t mind frosts if they have food. not easy wintering birds, but “tied” to a specific place. Flying thousands of kilometers away from their “native nest”, the gray ones always return back. People took advantage of this by starting to send letters with pigeons.

Having taken them to the recipient, the birds returned. Scientists debate how birds find their way home. Some refer to magnetic fields. Others believe that pigeons navigate by the stars. Pigeons are loyal not only to their native lands, but also to their partners. Birds choose a pair once and for life, like swans.

Pigeons are very attached to their habitats and do not leave them if there is food.

Sparrow

Group of wintering birds consists of several types. There are two people in Russia: urban and field. The latter is typical for rural areas. The total number on the planet is close to a billion. Accordingly, one bird for 8 people.

Considering that birds feed on grains, this is a threat to the harvest. The People's Republic of China even carried out an action to destroy sparrows. Having found out that they could not fly for more than 15 minutes, people frightened the birds, preventing them from falling to the ground. Approximately 2 million individuals fell dead. However, in the absence of sparrows, it multiplied - another delicacy for birds. She ate the harvest instead of the birds.

Like pigeons, sparrows tend to choose one partner for life. At the same time, birds have hot blood. Instead of 41 degrees, the sparrow's body heats up to 44 degrees. This is typical for small birds. They lose energy faster. It’s interesting that a sparrow’s neck has twice as many vertebrae as a giraffe’s. It's a matter of the length of the fragments. Sparrows have flat ones.

Crossbill

This bird of the finch family has a bent, crooked beak. Its structure is determined by its function. With its beak, the crossbill picks up grains from cones. At the same time, a characteristic click is heard. Hence name of wintering birds.

Despite the adaptability of the beak, it is not possible to remove all the pine nuts. Cones thrown by birds are cleaned up. Males of the species are red-brown, and females are gray-green-yellow. Birds become like this by the age of 3. As adults, crossbills do not exceed 20 centimeters in length and weigh about 50 grams.

The intelligence of ravens, by the way, is comparable to the development of 5-year-old children. Birds solve the same logical problems. One of the indicators of intelligence is the way it protects nests. Crows throw stones at enemies, lifting them in their tenacious paws.

Birds are unpretentious when it comes to food; they eat grains, vegetables, and bread. Birds often destroy the nests of other birds. But the favorite delicacy of ravens is carrion. There is a lot of it in winter, because not all animals can withstand the cold. Here birds And remain to spend the winter.

In years when food is poor, polar owls migrate to the forest-steppe zone. The bird is large, up to 70 centimeters in length. The bird gains 3 kilograms of mass. Harry Potter held about that much in his hand. The hero of JK Rowling's work often used the services of Boucli. That was the name of the white owl who served as a messenger for the wizard.

Kedrovka

The bird feeds on pine nuts. For them, the bird has a sublingual pouch. It carries about 100 nuts. The Russian taiga is rich in cedar trees, which means that the bird has no reason to fly away in winter. Some of the cones remain on the trees in winter.

We hide the nutcracker nuts that do not fit into the sublingual sac within a radius of 2-4 kilometers from the tree on which they ripened. In winter, supplies are buried in snowdrifts, and in summer in the ground. In Russia there is a monument to the nutcracker. It is located in Tomsk. The Siberian city is surrounded by cedar trees. Residents of the region know and love their inhabitant, admiring her all year round.

Owl

Listed in Red. The feathered species easily endures Russian winters, but cannot adapt to the decline due to the destruction of the taiga of its patrimony. However, eagle owls are capable of living in captivity. In zoos and private owners, birds lived up to 68 years. In nature, the age of an eagle owl is limited to 20 years. Like the snowy owl, it hunts rodents, hares, and martens.

Birds catch them around the clock. The main activity occurs at night. During the day, eagle owls often sleep. Eagle owls swallow small prey whole. The birds first tear large victims into pieces that can fit down the throat. There have been recorded cases of eagle owls attacking young roe deer and wild boars. This indicates the impressive size of the birds.

Nuthatch

The bird has a bluish back and a white belly. The sides of the bird are red with black stripes. The paws have curved sharp claws. With them, nuthatches dig into tree trunks, quickly and deftly moving along them. The bird is looking for hidden insects and their larvae. The nuthatch’s sharp, long beak allows them to get them in winter. The bird uses it to explore every crevice in the bark.

They prefer to settle in oak forests. Where oak trees do not grow, birds choose parks with deciduous plantings. Nuthatches look for trees with hollows, settling in them. If the entrance to the house is wide, it is coated with clay. Nuthatches do this work in the warm season.

Nuthatches prefer to survive the cold by nesting in tree hollows.

Yellow-headed wren

The only thing smaller than it is the hummingbird. The bird has a yellow crest on its head that resembles a crown. This association prompted the name feathered. It doesn't look like a king, because it's the size of a dragonfly. The weight of the bird is about 7 grams.

Kinglets live in coniferous forests. Unlike hummingbirds, Russian dwarf birds tolerate harsh climates. Even in winter, kinglets manage to find insects and their larvae. A bird eats as much food per day as it weighs.

Chizh

Considered migratory. However, some siskins remain for the winter in Russia. Birds are ready to survive the winter here next to non-freezing reservoirs. Birds make nests in the roots of trees nearby.

Small birds camouflage their homes so skillfully that they became heroes of the legend of the invisible stone. Our ancestors believed that such a crystal was placed under the nest, hiding it from prying eyes.

Wintering species also include hazel grouse and partridges. They warm themselves by burying themselves in snowdrifts. Under the snow, the birds look for food - last year's grains and herbs.

Black grouse even uses snow as a warm place to sleep

In severe frosts, birds try to avoid flying. The body area increasing when the wings are open leads to greater heat loss. The bird risks freezing instead of catching prey or getting to places with better weather.

Wintering birds of Russia

Let's take a closer look at the species of birds that remain to spend the winter in Russia.

Since not all types are listed in the picture above wintering birds of Russia, for the sake of completeness, let’s name them: Sparrow, Crows, Pigeon, Woodpecker, Nutcracker, Crossbill, Yellow-headed Wren, Partridge, Coal, Tawny Owl, Nuthatch, Hazel Grouse, Waxwing, Tit, Bullfinch, White Owl, Jay, Magpie, Black Grouse, Eagle Owl, Tap Dancer , Lentil, Siskin, Goldfinch, Schur.

Our planet is inhabited by so many birds, the names of which we sometimes have not even heard. They are found everywhere: in forests, mountains, steppes, on sea coasts and even in the cold tundra. The diversity of this group of fauna is so great that, for example, on the territory of the Russian Federation alone you can meet representatives of more than 400 species, including not only sedentary, but also migratory birds, photos with names of which can be easily found in atlases.

Order Passeriformes

Interestingly, more than 50% of all bird species belong to the passerine order, with the smallest being the kinglet (6 g), and the largest being the raven (1.5 kg). There are four subspecies of these birds: songbirds, semi-songbirds, screamers (tyrants) and broad-billed birds (broad-billed birds). The habits and colors of birds, including forest birds, are very diverse, and the males sing and look the most impressive. They are the first to arrive at the site chosen for nesting, and with their singing they mark the territory and attract females. Some species, such as starlings and jays, are able to copy the voices of different birds and some words of our speech. Distributed everywhere.

Some passerines live in whole flocks during the nesting period, but most form pairs. The male chooses the place, and different subspecies prefer for this purpose hollows, tree branches, stones, holes in the ground, rocks, etc. Reproduction occurs in spring or summer, although, for example, the crossbill is not afraid of the cold, and if there is enough food (spruce and pine cones ), then he nests even in January.

All passerines hatch chicks that are born barely covered with light down, deaf and blind, but grow very quickly. Both the female and the male feed the cubs. On the 10-15th day, accompanied by their parents, the babies fly out of the nest; in species nesting in hollows, this happens a little later - on day 20-25.

The names of birds that belong to passerines are always heard: sparrow, tit, oriole, swallow, starling, wagtail, bunting, etc. Among the larger ones, we can distinguish the crow, jay, cardinal,

gardens, meadows and fields

All birds of open spaces are adapted to their habitat in their own way. Some of them move excellently on the ground, not only in search of food, but also to escape from enemies, practically without using their wings. They have lost the ability to fly, but they have strong legs with short toes, which facilitates fast running and digging. This group of birds includes galliformes (grouse, pheasant, partridge, guinea fowl, crax), ostriches, etc.

Daytime and nocturnal “flying” predators are characterized by powerful wings and sharp claws, which helps them hunt well. This group includes falcons, black kites, hawks, owls, meadow and field harriers, etc.

Steppe birds

The Russian steppes stretch all the way from the shores of the Azov and Black Seas to the Urals itself, and it is quite natural that a great variety of birds live in such open spaces. Steppe and desert birds, the species and names of which we will give below, are forced to be careful. Open space is not very rich in shelters, so sometimes only a quick reaction and flight can save the bird from the enemy.

Since steppe and desert species move a lot among the grass in search of food, their legs are sufficiently developed for this. In addition to partridges, steppe birds include: demoiselle crane, common bustard, little bustard, lapwing, bustard, etc. They skillfully hide in the grass thanks to the “camouflage” coloring of their feathers and easily find food on fertile steppe soils. Plants and insects are the main food, but birds of prey, photos with names of which can be found in any manual, hunt snakes, frogs and rodents, of which there are a great many here, and also do not neglect carrion. Some species of birds make their nests directly in the ground, and large predators make their nests on trees that are rare in these places.

Desert birds

There are few birds in the desert because they cannot tolerate thirst. In Russia, the south of the Astrakhan region and the east of Kalmykia belong to desert zones that abound with vegetation and moisture only in the spring. Birds such as desert chickens, bustards, warblers, and steppe eagle feel comfortable in fairly difficult conditions. Pelicans, mute swans, ducks, and egrets can nest in border areas near water bodies.

It is impossible not to mention the world's largest flightless bird - the African ostrich, whose weight can reach more than 150 kg. Evolution took care of him, giving him a long neck for a good view of the area and powerful legs for fast running and hitting the enemy during a fight. Ostriches live in numerous families; They feed on vegetation, insects, lizards, rodents, but can pick up the remains of predators' meals. The funny story about ostriches hiding their heads in the sand is just a joke, but females hatching their chicks literally flatten themselves on the ground when they see danger, trying to become invisible. Due to the heat in summer, desert birds are active at night, and in winter - during the day, when it is warm.

Forest birds

Forest birds make nests in trees and bushes, as well as in hollows. Woody vegetation serves for them not only as a refuge, but also as a place for obtaining food. Therefore, the paws of most species are designed in such a way that they easily grasp branches. Common features are long tails and wide, shortened wings, allowing them to quickly take off, brake, and perform tricky maneuvers between dense branches. Forest birds include most passerines, woodpeckers, owls and Galliformes.

Birds that climb vertically on trunks have claws that are curved and sharp. Some names of forest birds of this group characterize this method of movement (nuthatches). For support and balance, pikas and woodpeckers use their tails, and tits, finches and some other pichugas are able to hang from the branches from below when obtaining food. Forest predators hunt in flight, or by rapidly falling down onto their prey.

Birds of prey of the forest

Characteristic features of day and night predators of the forest are a sharp hooked beak and long claws on strong legs. In addition, they have excellent vision and hearing.

Some names of Russian birds related to forest predators: eagle owl, white owl, owl, honey buzzard, buzzard, goshawk, etc.

Origin of bird names

The names of the birds were not chosen at random: almost all of them suggest the presence of some features noticed by people. For example, names were given to the cuckoo (ku-ku), siskin (chi-chi), tit (sin-sin), rook (gra-gra), as well as hoopoe, seagull, lapwing and many other birds for their voice and style of singing.

The birds of the Urals also received names for their characteristic plumage: greenfinch, hazel grouse, redstart (jay), and birds such as the flycatcher, honey buzzard and nutcracker indicate their preferences in food. The wagtail and the wagtail are easy to distinguish by their behavior, but the nesting location of some birds is literally included in their name: the shore swallow digs holes on high banks, and the warbler hides in dense lake vegetation.

The names of birds are easy for children to remember if they resemble the sounds they make, for example, when walking, like a heron. She slowly walks through the swamp mud, as if “grabbing”, raising her long legs high, and the village dialect has modified the name of the bird from “chapel” to heron. Or if they are associated, for example, with snow, where the name of the bird bullfinch comes from.

But hunters know why the capercaillie got its name: when it displays, it is so carried away that it literally stalls and does not hear the dangerous noise at all. But when it falls silent, everything turns into attention.

Based on their habitat, names were given to birds such as the chaffinch and the robin. Small finches fly in and fly away during the chilliest, coldest months, which is why they were called that, although they themselves are quite frost-resistant. And the robin, which often settles in gardens closer to people, greets the morning and evening dawn with its ringing singing.

Bullfinch

The Russian origin of the name of the bird bullfinch is also peculiar, because it flies to our region for the winter, along with the snow, and with the onset of spring flies away to dark coniferous forests. The bullfinch is always associated with the New Year, so the image of the little red-bellied bullfinch is decorated with household items, New Year's cards and souvenirs.

The birds are part of the finch family and live in flocks, constantly calling to each other by whistling. In winter it is found even in city parks. Breeds with the onset of warm weather in the alpine and taiga forests of Eurasia, the Caucasus, and the Carpathians. It feeds on berries, seeds, and tree buds.

Waterfowl

Waterfowl, photos and names of which are given below, are those birds that are able to float on the water. These do not include species that only find food in water bodies. Due to their special lifestyle, they are characterized by common features: membranes between the fingers, dense plumage and a secretory coccygeal gland that lubricates the feathers.

The name of waterfowl, or rather orders, is derived from the most prominent representative: Anseriformes, pelicans, loons, gulls, penguinids, etc. The food is fish, shellfish, frogs, algae, which they get by diving into the water, like cormorants and ducks, or lowering only their heads, like swans and ducks. Seagulls can catch fish directly in flight, plunging only their beaks into the water.

Waterfowl of Russia

Waterfowl are widespread throughout the Russian Federation, photos and names of most of which are familiar to everyone. Although the majority are migratory: ducks, geese, swans, etc. At the end of summer, active migration of waterfowl to wintering areas begins. By the way, some representatives of this group spend most of the year far out to sea, returning to the shore only for nesting and hatching chicks (some ducks). The habitat can rightfully be considered Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, Kamchatka, Crimea and other places with an abundance of water bodies.

Russian waterfowl, whose names are long-tailed duck and eider, live in Yakutia and on the shores of Lake Chukotka. The following breed along the Volga: moorhen, red-crested pochard, great grebes, greylag goose, mute swan, and coot.

Red birds

Among all the diversity of birds, red birds stand out especially, whose name is very exotic, as is their bright plumage. If our lentils, crossbills and bullfinches are partially painted in this color, then flamingos, tanagers, Virginia cardinals, fiery velvet weavers, and ibis are almost entirely red. Most of these birds live in tropical forests, in the south of America, Hawaii and other islands, Australia and Africa. They belong to passerines, weaverbirds, flamingos, storks and other species.

Different species of birds primarily differ in body size, beak shape, plumage color and habitat. It is difficult to describe all the features briefly, so we will only touch on a few. Interestingly, the beak of each bird is designed in such a way that it can easily obtain food for itself. As a result of morphological adaptation, birds were divided according to the shape of their beaks into 14 groups, including: omnivores, fishermen, insectivores, skimmers, mowers, feeding on coniferous seeds, nectar or fruits, scavengers, predators and others.

As a result of observations, it was noticed that some species of birds have remarkable intelligence and ingenuity. Thus, seagulls and crows, having found a shellfish or nut, lift it into the air and then throw it on the ground to break it, repeating this manipulation several times. And green night herons throw bait in the form of a twig or leaf onto the water to attract fish. Parrots, jays and rooks can be taught human speech, and the woodpecker finch uses a thin stick to pick a crack in the bark of a tree and extract insects from it.

The role of birds in nature and for humans

The importance of birds in nature cannot be downplayed: interacting with each other and animals, they build complex relationships that contribute to natural selection. Birds help disperse seeds, and some species cross-pollinate flowering plants.

Birds of prey maintain the balance of rodent growth. And thanks to the insectivorous birds, which eat caterpillars and larvae, many crops, including agricultural ones, are preserved, which is very useful for humans. That is why all possible measures are being taken to preserve various species of birds, and nature reserves are being created.