What do you think, who is a buzzard?Consonant with some horse, is not it?Anyway you would never guess!Buzzard - a bird of prey.Frankly, so call was not an isolated view of the birds, and the whole subfamily.In this article, we look at these birds as an example of an ordinary buzzard or buzzard.
Who are the buzzards?
As noted above, ornithologists called buzzards subfamily (b) birds of prey, representing the family of hawk.Scientists still systematize these birds to collect them, they say, bit by bit.Therefore, classification buzzards constantly changing.For example, not so long ago in this subfamily includes genera of birds, which were previously in general were referred to a separate subfamily eagles.
Distribution
bird of prey buzzard spread across Europe and in Asia.Its favorite habitats are woodlands, bounded on the north polar circle, and from the south - a treeless deserts of Central and Middle Asia and Iran.As can be seen, the area of ​​distribution of these predators from the Old World is poor.
buzzard - bird proud!
Despite its simple name, common buzzard or buzzard - bird is not easy and not even granivorous.This family is proud predator hawk.Buzzard can not be called a purely migratory birds, because the pride and the iron shutter speed do not allow these thieves afraid of cold weather and, as a consequence, to fly to the south.Migratory subspecies is only one of these creatures - small buzzard.From the middle zone of our country, these birds move to southern regions of Asia and Africa.
Appearance
buzzard - bird of medium size.Its body length ranges from 50 to 58 centimeters.The wingspan can reach 1.3 meters.Weighs this predator from 450 grams to 1.4 kilograms.Unlike many other animals, the females Buzzard, usually in their dimensions exceed males.Painting of these birds can be different.While some individuals have fawn feathers, others are painted in a dark brown color.
Incidentally, the buzzard is easily confused with its close relative - Rough-legged Buzzard or distant relative of - ordinary honey buzzard.Latest bird color copy all buzzards to protect it from its enemies - Goshawk.Youngsters usually has a mottled color.Here is a colorful bird buzzard!The voice of these birds robbers has an unpleasant nasal tone, reminiscent of the plaintive meowing cats.
Colours buzzards
Now a closer look at the colors of these birds of prey.As mentioned above, the color of their feathers can be quite different.Ornithologists have noticed that in nature to see two identical buzzards almost impossible!Some Sarich painted in brown or black in color and have at their ponytails transverse bands.There are also birds, whose back and chest have a dirty brown color.However, their remaining body parts painted in gray-brown color, and diluted with dark spots.
In nature, there are also light brown Sarich with pure black spots and transverse stripes tail.But these colors are not limited buzzards.Again, the buzzard - bird of prey not only, but also multicolored!For example, some birds have a pale yellow legs, bright yellow cere and dark tip of his beak.Cornea they painted in a reddish-brown, turn gray with age.Such is an unusual bird buzzard.
The buzzard eats?
As buzzards - predators, then their diet is reduced to animal feed: voles, gophers, rats, rabbits, small birds, etc.Ornithologists have discovered that in some cases, common buzzards can eat carrion (dead animals).Sarich also eat hamsters, frogs and even small leverets.Often attack snakes.
to eat this or that arm, it is necessary to hunt the predator only in open spaces.For this bird clock may slowly float in the air or even hunt from ambush, located on some hills.In principle, in such a way to earn their living any buzzard.Bird, the disclosure of which we are considering here is different and peculiar behavior.
behavior and lifestyle
the subfamily, genus, or buzzards can be recognized by their characteristic landing.Especially clearly demonstrates the buzzard.Usually, he cringes and turns in one foot under him.Scientists say that in such a situation common buzzards do two things simultaneously: they are resting and keenly looking out for their prey carefully surveying the surroundings.
As noted above, the buzzard - bird soaring.This predator flies long and totally silent.Searching of any mouse or ground squirrel, buzzard stone falls down, tightly clutching their wings to the body.In order not to break the ground, the bird spreads its wings just before the ground, flies in such a position a certain distance, and then ruthlessly enough prey.
buzzard - bird, a cry which practically can not be confused with anything else.Plaintive and lingering "meow" - that's "business card" of these birds robbers!By the way, linguists believe that the verb "to moan" took it on the cat's manner buzzards say their nasal sounds: for example, when a child for a long time and the length of something begging from their parents, they usually say that it moan.
Reproduction
buzzards breeding period begins at the end of April.Like many other creatures occur between males fighting for the location samochki.The resulting moan couples engaged in building new nests or strengthening old ones.They are usually located on the nesting height of 6 to 18 meters above ground level.Near nests are certainly deciduous or coniferous trees.Usually laying consists of buzzards at 4-5 testicular pale green with brown spots.
brooding involved only females.Males at this time bring food.Incubation period of eggs lasts just over a month.Young animals are born in early summer.Hatchlings are already covered with greyish fuzz.Both parents feed them for 1.5 months.Already at the end of August the chicks begin an independent life.Curious is the fact that if, for one reason or another did not take place the first brood, female common buzzards can effortlessly postpone another clutch per season.
Lifetime
Usually the subfamily buzzards in the wild live to be 20-25 years.The maximum length of their life span is about 35 years.
How useful buzzard?
Common Buzzard - useful bird.During the night, she eats up to 35 small rodents.If we translate this value into more serious numbers, we get the order of 11 000 rodents per year.Without a doubt, the feathered thief thus provides a great benefit to the environment and agriculture as destroying vermin.By the way, if the mouse is quite a lot, Sarich general cease to pay attention to other animals.Here's a helpful assistant, he - the buzzard!
Bird (pictures are presented in the article) is popular among bird watchers and lovers, not only as a fighter rodents, but also as a killer vipers!Unfortunately, nature has not endowed these birds immune to the venom of vipers.So sometimes the snake buzzard and destroy each other.
Nevertheless, in most cases of this deadly battle winner yet feathery leaves robber.Ornithologists say that the courage and intelligence inherent in all members of the genus buzzards.In captivity, these birds are showing sophisticated trick.
