Grach - description, habitat, interesting facts

Rook refers to the birds of the crow family. By their appearance these individuals are similar to ravens, partly for this reason even experienced bird lovers confuse individuals. However, rooks have some features that distinguish them from crows. So, these individuals have an elongated and slender body, they have an unmarked bare skin area (but this feature is not present in young animals). Today we will explore other aspects of rooks.

Description

1. Rooks rank as a passerine squad of birds. These individuals belong to the family of corvids. Partly because of the second feature, many people confuse rooks with crows. Many people do not know what the difference between these individuals. Although the appearance of them still turns out to reveal.
2. Rooks are slim and fit. By their dimensional characteristics, these birds grow to 45 cm. The mass of the hull varies between 0.45-0.48 kg.A characteristic and distinguishing feature is the fact that in the region of the beak, the skin is unguided. However, this feature is peculiar to exclusively grown birds.
3. If the young growth has not yet reached sexual maturity, it will differ from the adult generation in its hue of plumage. Rooks cannot boast of diverse color plumage, these birds are black. The individuals of this species are characterized by a bluish reflection of feathers with a metallic sheen. This feature can be seen in sunlight.
4. The beak, as well as the rest of the body, is pigmented with black. He is very strong, strong, with a special structure. Rooks do not sing songs, moreover, they do it terribly. Rather, they speak with a certain wheeze and rudeness in their voice.
5. Also, birds can be like a raven their croaking. Individuals of the species do not like to imitate a person or other animals. In the process of communication, they use only 2 phrases: kra and kar.

Lifestyle

1. These birds are common in European countries. But their habitat is constantly expanding, so today individuals can be found even in unforeseen climatic regions.They are common in Eurasia, stretching from the Pacific to Scandinavia.
2. Birds prefer to settle in the steppe, forest and forest-steppe zones. Until recently, individuals tried to stay away from people, but later they dared to take courage and began to develop the land next to a person. They are met in large cities and towns.
3. This is partly due not only to the curiosity of birds, but also to the fact that humanity is destroying nature and is moving closer to the habitat of birds. Thus, a destructive process is conducted on the nature of the habitats of these individuals.
4. Rooks are understood to be colonial birds. They are distributed over the selected territory unevenly, occupying certain zones. Also for individuals of this group is characterized by a migratory lifestyle.
5. Rooks living in the northern part, are migratory. But those individuals living in the southern territory do not leave their native spaces. They are sedentary.
6. Long since people with a kind of trepidation were rooks. Birds were loved because they foreshadowed warm weather as soon as they arrived from wintering grounds. In spring time, these birds are so eager to return home, that they arrive almost the very first.
7. In the autumn season, individuals prepare for migration, usually in October or November. At first the birds look excited, prepare, then gather in packs and set off. During this period, you can see how many individuals soar in the sky and shout, signaling that it is time to fly.
8. By the end or mid-autumn, these birds are already arriving at the place where they plan to spend the winter. They manage to get to the winter hut, because they try to do it before the onset of frost. With the listed species of birds there are many signs. So, for example, if the Rooks left their native spaces, it means that the cold will come soon.
9. Birds are famous for their unusual behavior. They are friendly to themselves, love to communicate and learn something new. Some compare a rook with a small child, inquisitive and kind. Individuals prefer to be awake during the day, and at night they rest.
10. Favorite game of rooks are catch-up. Individuals run or fly after each other, talking sweetly. Transfer items one by one, be it a stick or a piece of plastic. When it's warm outside, the birds sway on the branches, like on a swing.

Breeding

1. As soon as the first days of early spring come, individuals begin to take care of the construction of dwellings. It is worth noting that the rooks are responsible for such a procedure. Also, individuals do not spend a long time in the colonies. Most of the time birds spend on building nests and care for offspring.
2. It should be noted that the rooks do not show high requirements for the location of the dwelling. Therefore, they can build a nest on any large tree that they like. In addition, the rooks do not seek to hide their nests from outsiders. Also, it does not affect the number of individuals in question.
3. To build a nest, individuals use their powerful beak. With it, they break dry branches without any problems. Such building material is the basis of a strong nest. Often birds have dwellings at an altitude of about 16 m. At the same time, there can be up to 20 nests on one tree.
4. Such birds appreciate their own work. Therefore, it is often possible to see that individuals occasionally repair their own nests.Such dwellings often remain after last year's nesting. Once the birds are distributed in the nests, they begin to form pairs.
5. The mating season and mating in birds occurs at the beginning of spring. After that, females start laying eggs. Often an individual can bring up to 4 pcs. In this case, the female can postpone them at an interval of 1 day. After that, the female starts vidisation. All this time, the male takes care of his companion and constantly brings food.
6. It is often possible to observe that the female leaves the nest, meeting the male with the prey. For the rest of the time, the female individual constantly breeds future offspring. She carefully takes care of him. It is worth noting that such a period in the life of birds is very difficult and exhausting.
7. As soon as the young are born, the female for some time continues to remain in the nest. At this time, the male takes full care of himself. He constantly brings food and protects his family. During the week, the female continues to warm the chicks. After that, she joins the male, and together they start to get food.
8. After half a month, the youngsters are already able to move independently around the nest.In general, a month later, the chicks are already trying to get on the wing. They make their first flights. All this time, adults feed their offspring. As a result, the chicks are getting stronger and preparing for independent living.

Interesting Facts

1. Often the rooks nest in large colonies. At the same time the birds build nests close to each other. Dwellings are located on large and old trees.
2. Such birds build nests mainly from all sorts of branches. The base of the dwelling is built from dense boughs. Next, the nest is built from thinner branches.
3. It is worth noting that the nest of the rook is much deeper and larger in contrast to the crow. Therefore, in such a dwelling, when hatching the offspring, only the rook's tail can be seen.
4. Often up to 4-5 eggs of greenish color can be included in a single clutch of individuals. In this case, they can be observed red blotches. The size of the eggs is not very large.
5. Individuals arrive at the nesting sites in early spring. At this time, the birds begin to build and repair nests. In mid-spring, females start laying eggs. Vidiska takes up to 3 weeks.
6. Separately, it is worth noting that the Rooks bring invaluable benefits to agriculture. Such birds kill rodents, larvae and various beetles.

Today you are familiar with the friendly birds from the crow family. Many people confuse rooks with other members of the group, but they have certain differences. In the presented individuals there are some behavioral habits. So, for example, they are kind, playful, faithful to themselves.

Video: Rook (Corvus frugilegus)