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Kamnesharka is a small sandpiper, about the size of a thrush. The body length of an adult bird varies between 20-27 cm, the wingspan is 38-47 cm. The weight varies throughout the year and is usually 70-160 grams.
Appearance
- The black cone-shaped beak is thin, small and slightly upturned, the shape resembles the beaks of sparrows and ravens.
- Small yellow-orange paws, on which the stone wall prefers to stand in turns.
- Big head and not too long neck, slightly rounded body.
- During the nesting period they look bright: white bottom, and on the back and wings a complex pattern of white, black and red areas.
- On the head and chest there is a clear black and white drawing.
- By the autumn, the red areas lose their saturation, becoming brown, and then the bird from a distance looks gray-brown with light areas.
- The plumage of males in the mating season is slightly brighter and more expressive than that of females.
Spread
Habitat
Prefer not wetlands with stony shores, cliffs and tall grass, where it is good to hide their nests. Often found near pebble beaches and river islands. Rarely settled near freshwater bodies.
Nutrition
They feed on kamnecharki beetles, flies, worms, butterflies, dragonflies, insect larvae, mollusks, and small crustaceans. They can eat small fish, but they do not know how to swim. Often eat plant food: berries, grains and seeds. Sometimes they look for food in landfills, they rarely eat carrion left on the seashore, and do not disdain to eggs from other nests.
Activity
Because of the way in which the feed is obtained, the activity of stone cages is manifested mainly in the daytime. But in the territories with the day and night the birds are looking for food at any time.
Behavior
Kamnesharki - active and extremely mobile birds. Searching for food, they are moving in short jumps and jumps along the shore, looking under small objects. In the process of feeding, they calmly and without conflict contact with other birds searching for their food. Nests are built by single pairs and colonies, with large distances between sites, but they do not cooperate with each other to protect nesting sites.
Lifestyle
Kamnesharki first among his squad arrive at the nesting sites. Usually in mid-May - early June, depending on the specific region. Individuals of both sexes together return to the nesting sites, often restoring the old pair. The token is practically absent. Something similar to him happens when the male arrives at his site, chasing the other. Each male protects the territory belonging to him, scaring off predators in threatening postures and warning trills.
The nest is settled in a dry area near the sea shore in the grass or between the stones. The male digs several holes and demonstrates them to the female, which at first ignores the entire construction process, but in the end chooses a specific place for laying eggs.The nest is a small hole, a little covered with dry leaves, needles and other plant debris. It is located near a stone or log, slightly covered with grass or branches of a bush. From May to July, 4, rarely 3, olive or grayish spotted eggs are laid. Hatching lasts 23-28 days, and both birds participate in it. In the process of guarding the nests become aggressive and attack predators. Either both partners or the male are caring for the chicks.
The hatched birds are ready to fly at 23-26 day. Soon after this, they fly away for the winter. The first to leave the nesting sites are adult females, then adult males, and only then young stone-slabs.
Interesting Facts
It happens that stone slabs are engaged in robbery.Having seen an unprotected nest, they peck at a small hole in the eggs left there and drink their contents. The nesting places of gulls, terns, ducks and sometimes even other stone-sheds are exposed to terror.
On the territory of their range kamnesharki rarely occur due to scarcity. The species is included in the security lists of some international conventions.
Video: kamnesharka (Arenaria interpres)
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