West-eastern part of the territory of Russia is home to such "birds' fauna, the white partridge.
This bird of average size, weighing a little more than a pound.Depending on the season partridge has a different color.In winter, the bird is absolutely white, and starting from spring until late autumn plumage color is dark color.
In winter, birds gather in the "pack" and "the whole crowd," exploring the surrounding neighborhood in search of food."Object" in the winter of eating ptarmigan selects mainly birch and willow buds.Birds bite off the main escape from the small length pieces and swallow them with located on them nutritious ovaries.In addition, birds have a knack prodelyvat in snowdrifts deep pits and "tunnels", getting so to hide under the snow left from the autumn berries and grass seeds.
summer ptarmigan have little difficulty in finding food.Among its various services the whole expanse of supplies - the berries, flowers, leaves, shoots of shrubs.
early spring breaking occurs common flock of partridges into separate "family" couples.Before that, the males attract their future "second halves" morning "Serenade".The generated steam and equips takes place for nesting, which becomes the object of a vigilant guard feathered "husband."
Ptarmigan avoids nest on open space and are usually arranged to lay their eggs under the sprawling branches of low trees, bushes, under tussocks.
lay their eggs an average of 7-10 pieces (record holder in terms of laying - partridge with 15-25 eggs), ptarmigan goes to a long and surprisingly patient process of hatching.The female is not for a moment does not leave the nest for about three weeks.All the while, security caring "mother" rests on the "shoulders" of the male.Disturb the peace and continuity procedures incubation can only very serious "force majeure" circumstances, such as large predators or hunters.If the "father of the family" did not cope with their responsibilities for the protection of, the ptarmigan, using similar tactics male, allows him to come as close as possible of the enemy, and then abruptly breaks and flies away to the side, distracting and diverting the "danger" of masonry.
hatched chicks almost immediately "stand on their feet" and learn the skills to find food.Two weeks later, became strong wings allow flutter from place to place, but ready for the long flight to the young still need time.
There is a touching moment when, in the case of the death of partridges, the male himself becomes a "mother" and take care of the offspring.Full of young adulthood occurs in late summer.
According to the statistics of natural history, a sharp reduction in the number of partridges.
Across Russia apply tough measures to prevent such a sad trend.It is forbidden to hunt for partridge in early spring - during the mating season of birds and the development of the offspring.Hunting for partridge is not subject to such strict sanctions on the white, the prohibition on hunting in some regions which operates all year round.In hunting farms carried out to winter feeding of birds, catching stray dogs and cats, domestic breeding partridges - all this also contributes to the preservation and successful reproduction of the form.
