The world is full of animals, which is rarely seen in the wild.And all because they disappear.A striking example is the osprey - a fairly large bird of prey.But many do not even know what a natural area inhabited osprey.And even the way it looks.
few words about the appearance of the Osprey
Before finding out what the natural area is the osprey, should learn the signs by which it can be distinguished from other birds.Of course, they are visible in the plumage.
gray back creates a marked contrast with the rest of the body of the bird, which is white in color.Neck Osprey decorated speckled necklace that much stronger in females.On either side of the beak through the eye and passes to the wings gray-brown stripe.Black beak and legs color lead complete the picture.
This plumage is each adult individual.And it comes at the age of one and a half years.Until then, they look a little spotty, since the tips of the feathers of young birds are painted in a light shade of brown.
Another difference in the color of a young osprey her iris.It is red.Grown individual looks at the world through the eyes yellow.
Osprey body length slightly exceeds half a meter.While the scope of its wings reaches and even slightly exceeds half a meter.This is true for every bird that has the name of "Skopje".Where feathered individual lives, it does not matter.On the amount is not much affected.Only females are slightly heavier (usually 0.5 kg) or more.If we talk about the weight, the males he is around one and a half kilograms of numbers.
Overview of biology
Asked to what natural area inhabited osprey, you can answer: everywhere.Except maybe Antarctica.However, its size is small.But more about that later.Now about the osprey.
It is the only representative of the family of the order Skopina hawk.However, this bird has a number of variations in color and size, which depends on the latitude of the habitat.
largest and dark live in Eurasia and North America.Subspecies with a lighter head inhabit the islands of the Caribbean.By the way, they are sedentary.The smallest of them are common on the coast of Australia's major rivers.
diet depends on what natural area inhabited osprey.However, some features make it an excellent predator angler.The feet of birds longer and strongly curved claws.The outer finger arranged so that it can rotate freely back.Therefore Osprey can easily keep in paws a slippery fish.
As for the feathers, they are covered with a greasy substance.Because of this bird does not get wet.Besides, there nostrils nasal valves that do not allow water to get inside.
What kind of lifestyle leads to Skopje?
irrespective of whether the flight depends on what a natural area inhabited osprey.Those that are common in northern latitudes in the cold season departures.If the climate allows you to spend the winter in favorable conditions, the Osprey remains.
nest building has been largely female.But collecting the necessary materials, both occupied by a pair of birds.And for this they need branches, grass and seaweed.The first are the basis, and the latter, it is sealed.Usually in one nest a pair of ospreys lived for several years, if necessary, repairing it.
Once the construction or renovation completed, the female dedicates all his time brooding.And the male is concerned about food production.At first, only for her, and then another and chicks.And so long as the chicks will not be able to take off on their own for the production.
At that time, he had a lot of worries, because he needs and protect the territory from rivals.After all, if the female is not enough food, it can start to ask of another male.
Usually steam is produced for a long time, is the osprey.Which natural area inhabited by birds, its effect on monogamy.If food is enough to feed two families, the male is satisfied with the second slot.But the food is first in first.
Which area is selected?
It has become clear that the bird is found on all continents.Yet what area osprey prefer?Where lives?She was to the liking of the forest area on the banks of reservoirs.This choice is due to the fact that birds choose to nest, and the broken tip of a strong tree.A food mainly eat fish.
In Russia, they are suitable places, which are located not more than 66-67ยบ north latitude.And they are not afraid of human intimacy.
osprey nest is usually only at a distance of several hundred meters to several kilometers.A small cluster can be observed in an area that is rich in food.
Eurasian ospreys do not stay for the winter.It was noted that those who live in the European territory, fly to East Africa, for example in Egypt, or the islands of the Red Sea.A population from Siberia spend the winter in South Asia.
what to eat and how to hunt osprey?
This bird of prey eat mostly fish.It is almost 100% of the diet, but not the only one that can catch the osprey.Which natural area inhabited by this bird, and will determine the production to the case where the fish will be missed.This may be: other birds, smaller in size, snakes, salamanders and lizards, muskrats, squirrels and mice, frogs and alligators Young.
Hunt Osprey in flight.A bird soars to a height of 10 to 40 meters, after the discovery of the victim is rapidly coming down.At the same time it puts forward legs and wings retracts.The feet are immersed in water, and osprey enough fish.To take off, it needs to perform a powerful wave of wings, which is directed almost horizontally.
For convenience and to improve the aerodynamic properties of the osprey holding a fish so that it is as though floating in the air.One paw poultry production directs the head forward, and the second moves her tail back.
With head and begin to eat the fish.If you are brooding period, the male eats up part of the production, and the rest belong to the nest.
Natural enemies ospreys
- Air birds of prey such as the owl or an eagle.
- Ground: raccoons and snakes.
- aquatic: Nile crocodile.
Why protected?
learning that this bird is so widespread, the question may arise: "Why fish hawk - bird of prey, is listed in the Red Book?" The reasons for this are several.
Firstly, it is the only representative of his family.That is the osprey - a rare species.On this basis, it can already be entered in the register in need of protection.
Secondly, the population of ospreys was greatly reduced in the XIX-XX centuries.And the trend is to restore the number appeared only in recent years.
Reasons for not increasing population of ospreys sufficient pace:
- shooting of birds, despite the huge fines;
- destruction of nests;
- felling of trees;
- expanses of water turbidity;
- depletion of fish stocks;
- water pollution.
What can be done to save the ospreys:
- create artificial nesting platforms in places with plenty of food;
- arrange rest area at a distance of about three hundred meters from the nest.
