guess a riddle: What kind of bird is black with a black beak?Some may think that this is a rook, but no!This is just his "twin" - black crow.In fact, both types of birds resemble each other like two drops of water.However, their life paths are in opposite directions.Carrion Crow in general is one of the first birds that have ever been described by Carl Linnaeus.About it and talk.
Appearance
This black bird with a black beak and the same legs.However, all black can not call her.If you look closely, you can see that its plumage is green or purple reflections.Some ornithologists say that the structure of its feathers repeats the structure of the feathers of crows, even a glimpse at them from time to time becomes the same.However, they are completely different types of birds.
Not to be confused with the rooks!
It is worth noting that this bird is entirely different from the common raven and their next of kin - hooded crows.At the same time it is up to such an extent similar to the rook, that both of these species are often confused with each other.Remember beak black crow is much larger than the rook.Moreover, adult rooks nostrils naked, and at different ages, they are covered with black crows setigerous feathers.
Rooks from crows distinguished by bright purple-blue plumage shine.Their beaks are not as great as that of their black "twins", and about feet grow so-called "pants" - feathers that cover them.But the most important feature distinguishing black crows of rooks is the presence of broad and rounded feathers at the back of the latter.
Rooks usually live in packs and ravens - pairs.Often both are fed within a range.As you know, the crows - birds cunning and arrogant.It saves them, and in the winter they gather in groups of 15-20 individuals, and then take their nests "twins" - rooks.So, the difference between those and others, we caught you, now let's look at the classification of black crows.
Classification
As we have said above, a black bird with a large beak - is one of the few species of birds described scientist Carl Linnaeus in the first place.It happened back in the XVIII century.And gray and black crows fall into definite and distinct subspecies.Often, both considered as subspecies of birds within a single species.In principle, it is not a blunder.It is rather formal inaccuracy.
The same principle is often far eastern black raven is considered within the same species, which is not quite true.To illustrate the difference, let us correct classification of the superfamily of crows:
- ordinary gray;
- eastern gray;
- ordinary black;
- eastern black.
In scientific treatises described the cases meeting the person with the crows that have in their beaks some strange dark spots.Some ornithologists first even want to describe them as a separate species, but after a while it became clear that the black spots on the beak of a bird - a sign of a disease, not a distinctive feature of the new species.
inhabited by black crows?
black crow or black bird with a large beak (as it is sometimes called), is widespread in western Europe: the Elbe, in the direction of Vienna, through the famous Alps to the north of Italy.In the East and in Eastern Siberia spread another kind - Hoodie.She and her cousin, has a black beak and a long, but its plumage is not pure black, and dirty gray color.
Rookery
as a place for their nesting black bird with a long beak chooses the edge of forests and woods that are among the meadows and fields.These birds settle in large numbers in the center of large cities.Some residents are afraid of them, relying on some prejudices associated with the black crows, witches and mysticism.
These creatures never nest in colonies (as rooks do), but only a few pairs of female-male.This period begins with the arrival of the first warm days of March.Ornithologists birds must give, because couples remain faithful to each other forever.So this bird (black with a black beak and legs) can serve as a symbol of loyalty and love.
they build their nests high above the ground - in the thick and twisted the trees."Foundation" are mangled dry branches, moss and clay.The walls of their nests black crows line the grass and wool.Typically, there is one slot from 3 to 6 eggs.And here, too, should make a reservation: Black egg is very much like eggs rook.Only the female incubates them.The male at this time to forage.
Within 2 weeks the eggs hatch fledglings.Some time after the birth of a female child is still warm, after which, together with the male begins to seek out and bring them food.Here's a bird!Black with a black beak and claws crow growing quite rapidly: within a month chicks soar into the sky, migrate with their parents, for whatever surroundings until the onset of winter.
Power
These birds with great pleasure eats carrion of all kinds.Do not refuse it, and from insects, worms, spiders, small mammals and food waste.Ornithologists believe that all black crows - scavengers in their inner nature.That's why they are so often visited by human dwellings, because there is a lot of waste.Oh, and queer is this black bird with a large beak!
These gluttons love to ruin a great number of nests of any innocent birds, because we have said that their favorite delicacy - the eggs.In addition, black crows with pleasure eat grains, fruits and berries, green parts of plants.They can chase the birds of prey, foxes and dogs for their production.Of course, it is difficult to imagine how they are going to kill a husky dog, however, interest in sports has not been canceled.
Audacity - the second happiness!
Ornithologists, conducts research and observe the behavior of birds, argue that it is - very carefully, quirky and clever bird.Black with a black beak, feathers and claws crow, they think - this is a real idea generator that as soon as any invent these creatures to earn their living.Deception and trickery in their blood.Black crows, inhabiting Europe all intrusive to the arrogance!
way, these clever creation ahead and think through their behavior during the nesting season.Not only that, their "houses" are located at high altitudes (in the trees), they themselves behave in such a way that they are difficult to calculate: the chicks in the nest are calm and quiet, and their parents - even more so.If a group of crows in winter experiencing any difficulties in search of food, they will without any compunction joining flocks of rooks and jackdaws, even if they do not ask.
Use
economic importance of black crows in human life can not be overestimated.These creatures are destroying various debris and carrion, and destroy harmful rodents and insects.They love to ruin the bird's nest, but that is no reason to regard them as pests.
