Reel - description, habitat, interesting facts

Fins are small birds, very similar in appearance to common sparrows. The main feature of these birds is a change in the color of the feather cover depending on the season.

Description

The body of such a bird as a reel is of small size, not exceeding 140-150 mm in length. The average bird weight is about 20-22 grams. I would like to draw attention to the fact that the sternum of this representative of the world of birds has a single plumage color in every season - a bright orange color. The plumage of the neck and the back of the reel varies depending on the current time of the year (in summer it is dark, in the cold period of the year it is gray-brown). Although the bird's beak has a rather modest size, it is nevertheless rather wide, the color is black. The legs of the bird are with sharp, tenacious claws, the color is gray. The males of the finch, unlike their girlfriends, are distinguished by a brighter and more attractive color scheme of the feather cover.

As indicated above, finches are small and very lively birds belonging to the order of warblers. This species of birds is great singers singing their calm and melodic songs while sitting on the branches of trees. In flight, they often emit louder and sharper sounds.

Behavior features

One of the features of these little birds is that they can live in pairs or alone. The reel chooses a very long and careful place for nesting, and shrub thickets are considered to be the ideal place to build the dwelling of this bird.This is due to concern for the future of the offspring, which the birds hide away from prying eyes.

The main food diet of finches is a variety of small insects, for which these birds hunt both on the ground and in the air, while performing breathtaking acrobatic stunts.

Distribution of species

The population of finches is quite widespread, the colonies of these brisk and attractive birds attracting with their bright plumage inhabit the Eurasian continent, South Africa.

For nesting birds mainly choose the area located near the forest, park areas. Note that such birds as finches are not at all afraid of man, so their nests can often be seen near human habitation, especially if the latter is located in close proximity to a forest belt or large water sources.

Finches are a migratory species of birds that migrate to the winter quarters warm lands from the beginning of autumn and return to the nesting place with the onset of April. In the winter quarters, finches, as a rule, fly to the countries of Asia and southern Europe.

Kinds

Currently, specialists have identified several subspecies of feathered finch. In this case, all subspecies are characterized by pronounced dimorphism, which is manifested by bright and eye-catching plumage of the male. The most famous representatives of this family of birds include the following subspecies:

• Canary.
• Mozambican.
• Snow.
• Redheaded, royal.
• Yellow-bellied.
• Galapagos.
• Large cactus.
• Spiky.
• Medium / small earthen.
• Mangrove woody.
• Woodpecker woody.
• Gray.
• Damara Alario
• Alario

Breeding features

Reels are birds, distinguished by their monogamy. Although this is the case, however, they never neglect the possibility of coexistence with their other relatives in a large flock. In addition, it doesn’t prevent them from creating a pair and remaining faithful to their girlfriend until the end of life. Depending on the subspecies, these birds can build nests both singly and by joint efforts.

We draw attention to the fact that subspecies of finches have significant differences among themselves, respectively, this clearly indicates thatthat the exact answer regarding sexual dimorphism simply does not exist. That is, in some subspecies of the reel, it is expressed quite clearly, while in others it is more weak.

As mentioned above, subspecies of finches have significant differences, and therefore some species are able to lay eggs as many times within one year, and some only 2 times per nesting season. As a rule, the average number of eggs in a clutch does not exceed 8 pcs. Eggs are mostly white. But it can be multi-colored. The nest of this species of feathered neat geometric shape. For its construction is used grass and dry twigs.

The duration of incubation of the future offspring is about 14-16 days. The female of the finch is mainly engaged in incubating; the task of the male at this time is to get food for feeding her friend.

As a rule, both the female and the male are engaged in feeding the hatching chicks. After 2 weeks, mature offspring begin to make the first attempts to stand on the feather and rise in the air.

Bird content

Note that if you are a lover of birds and decided to make a bright little bird like a finch at home, in this case it is better to get a little chick.You should also take into account the fact that this species of birds rather hard endures loneliness, so the best solution would be to purchase a young pair of birds. The duration of the life cycle of these nimble birds with proper care is about 15 years.

For keeping, a rather spacious bird cage made of metal is best suited, between the twigs of which you can place the branches of trees and the various vegetation that these birds like very much. The cage should be installed in a place well lit by sunlight, do not forget about the constant influx of fresh air (the cage should not stand in a draft).

Favorite delicacy of domestic birds are small nuts. You should also take care of a suitable feed for this species of birds, which can be purchased at any pet store. The main condition for the maintenance of finches is the constant availability of fresh and clean water in the drinker.

Interesting Facts

1. As mentioned above, subspecies of finches have cardinal differences between themselves, for example, some species are quite peaceful birds that feed on vegetation and insects, and some finches are real predators that can eat the meat and blood of other birds and small animals.
2. Such birds as finches are flocking birds, so if you decide to have young individuals of this species, in this case they can be shared in an open-air cage with other birds.
3. Fins are small birds with a temper character; therefore, it is not uncommon for birds to fight with other species.

Video: reel (Fringilla montifringilla)