Black-throated Diver - description, habitat, interesting facts

Black-throated loon is quite common, different shimmering and swimming speed. From the natural habitat can be identified lakes, forest areas and various reservoirs with a moderate flow of water. There are many interesting features that everyone should read. We will analyze them in turn, give the facts.

Habitat

1. The represented individuals have an average abundance, which preferably ranges from Eurasia to Alaska. They build nests in cold regions of Europe, such as Norway or Finland. They live in the expanses of our country and in the United States of America.
2. It is sent for wintering in cold water sources, it can occur in the north of the Mediterranean, as well as in the Caspian and Black Sea coasts. In our country, builds nests in the forest belt and near stagnant water sources. Feels good on the lakes.
3. You can meet representatives of this subspecies in the Sea of ​​Azov. In cold times, sent to the Krasnodar Territory, because there are all the conditions for the full wintering of these inhabitants. The population is influenced by many factors, including flight conditions and other aspects.
4. Loons have decreased in the population due to the fact that water sources are increasingly polluted by waste from the processing of chemicals. This leads to the death of fish, respectively, black-browed birds are also reduced in their numbers. If we consider the number of individuals living in Europe, today their number hardly exceeds 800.
5. Recent assessments of the Krasnodar Territory revealed that in this place the birds are concentrated in the amount of 1000 heads maximum. Ornithologists study the family in pairs, respectively, it is about 500 pairs.

Appearance

1. The individual is a medium-sized bird. It is larger in comparison with the red-breasted loon. Nevertheless, it is smaller in size than dark-billed and white-eyed individuals. The length of the body of the birds under consideration can vary from 57 to 74 cm.
2. In this case, body weight often exceeds more than 3 kg. The color of such birds, as a rule, two-tone. In this case, the bottom of the body is almost always light, and the top is dark. During the mating season, the appearance of individuals is significantly transformed.
3. It becomes obvious that the neck and head of the individuals become gray, closer to the ash color. As for the throat, the color is cast in a beautiful greenish or purple metallic color. If you look closely, then in the lower part of the body you can see a beautiful white pattern, which is located longitudinally.

Description

1. The birds of this subspecies perfectly mastered on land or in aquatic environment. But the second option is closer to them. Individuals even prefer to sleep on the water surface.
2. To date, a record was recorded, which states that the bird swam under water and did not emerge for 2 minutes and 15 seconds. But on average, they descend into water for 50 seconds.
3. Show activity at any time of the day. When they are not in the water, they move on the abdominal cavity. Sexual maturity is reached after the second year of life.
4. A law has been introduced that states that in the Krasnodar Territory it is prohibited to hunt the represented individuals.Since this bird is an excellent dive, when sent to a depth it gets into the nets and gets stuck, which leads to death.
5. Monogamy is considered a peculiarity of the presented species; in other words, these birds choose one single satellite in life and are not separated from it. If for some reason the half dies, the loon will be left alone.
6. What matters is where the represented individuals nest. They need food, respectively, the feed base should be quite extensive. They build one dwelling, memorize the location, and then return annually to a secluded place. One pond allows three pairs of birds to make a nest.
7. Eggs have a dark, brownish-green tint. For one laying loon gives about two eggs. As for the incubation period, it lasts 28 days. Chicks become capable a couple of months after their birth. From this point on, they are able to independently produce food.

Interesting Facts

1. Separately, it is worth noting the fact that the individuals in question were listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.The problem is that in recent years the number of birds has decreased dramatically due to a change in habitat. The bird simply disappeared from most areas.
2. That is why individuals can no longer be found in areas such as Smolensk, Yaroslavl, Ivanovo and Moscow. The species of birds also completely disappeared from Mordovia; in this area, individuals no longer nest.
3. Black-throated loons have a very interesting feature. The fact is that individuals show a special sensitivity to the human factor. The problem is that such birds, due to the constant presence of people in their habitat, scared away all individuals. Because of this, numerically the loon has plummeted.
4. It should be understood that if you disturb or frighten such birds, they leave their nest for a long time. As a result, the eggs or small chicks remain completely defenseless. From any kind of danger they simply have nowhere to go.
5. Among other things, a very important factor in reducing the number of individuals is that birds often die in fishing nets. Also important are the irreversible effects that occur in the environment.The reason for the decline in the number of birds is precisely man.
6. It is worth noting that the birds in question during flight are capable of developing a speed of about 60–65 km / h. When seasonal migrations come, birds migrate even at night. In addition, the loons during the hunt dive into the water for 10 m. They can be without oxygen for about 40-60 seconds.

Black-throated loons are quite an interesting species of birds. Such birds have a beautiful appearance. They are able to quickly fly and dive into the water for fish to a decent depth. The considered individuals are listed in the Red Book due to a sharp reduction in the number of species.

Video: Black-throated Loon (Gavia arctica)