Punochka - description, habitat, interesting facts

Punochek is also called white sparrows, they live preferably in cold climatic regions. Due to the fact that individuals are whitish in their external characteristics, they perfectly merge with the snowy expanses and can be easily disguised.

Description and habitat

1. When representatives of the male half dress in a nuptial attire, their plumage on the wings, as well as on the back, is pigmented with a black tone. The extreme and middle steering feathers are painted with the same color. In the rest of the hull these birds are whitish.
2. In females, all those parts that males are black, greyish with brown tint. Feathers of this color extend to the head, and are also located on the neck, like a necklace.
3. In the winter, the coloring of the hull is modified. There, where the feathers are dark, bright parts appear (with the exception of the kaemochka). Beak acquires a yellow-orange shade.In general, the color of the body plumage resembles snowy patches.
4. When the period of nest construction begins, these individuals choose the tundra as a habitat for the family and future offspring. They prefer to settle on the north coast near Iceland, as well as the United States of America, Siberia, Canada, Scandinavia. Birds can be found on the Bering Islands. Individuals can live further south, for example, near Scotland.
5. The presented family lives in the obligatory case near the sea water sources. Also for them is extremely important the presence of rocky areas covered with lichens. In some cases, they can build nests on mountain tops with a small amount of vegetation. Even live at an altitude of 1 km. from sea level.

Nutrition

1. The basis of the birds ’diet of the discussed breed group consists of seeds, grains, grass, tree buds and various insects.
2. In the summer, in a cold area where birds live, flying insects fall. They are feathered and feed when pests freeze.
3. Funechki perceive food as a gift from heaven, therefore they attack it in flocks.Birds collect insects and give them to the chicks so that they quickly grow and develop.

Breeding

1. These individuals arrive to the nesting sites quite early. At the beginning of spring or when a wonderful time comes to an end and summer comes.
2. The end of spring and the beginning of summer signals that it’s time for the birds to reincarnate into their plumage. Individuals of the male are painted in black and white, and then occupy their territory.
3. It is at the beginning of the mating season that the birds break up in flocks, then proceed to build a home for future offspring. They sing songs, show themselves in all their glory.
4. The future mother builds a dwelling on the basis of moss, dry grass, stalks and lichen. Then the cavity of the nest is lined with feather padding or wool. In laying about 6 eggs, the color of white-green speckled. Chicks are born after half a month.

Lifestyle

1. Such birds arrive at nesting sites in early spring. Often there is still snow in such areas. Individuals try to keep in small flocks. Considered birds mainly live in the Arctic.When they arrive in these places, this indicates that spring is coming.
2. Unlike most buntings, these birds are omnivores. When young birds arrive at nesting sites, the males begin to sing actively. Such a phenomenon is rarely observed in flight. Tokovanie often occurs on cliffs and stones.
3. Males are always the first to arrive at nesting sites. Only after 2-3 weeks females catch up. As soon as all the snow melted, the birds begin to form steam. After that, adults try to evenly distribute throughout the tundra.
4. It is worth noting that the individuals in question during nesting preference for the construction of the nest dry rocks, stony site, river and steep sea shores. Such birds always try to nest in the shelter.
5. Birds were often seen in the crevices of rocks, debris, burrows of lemmings, crevices of buildings and under the roofs of houses. The nest is often built from plant material. As a result, it turns out quite massive, but loose. Feathers, wool and artificial materials are used as insulating litter.
6. Often these birds take down to a maximum of 6 eggs.They may have a pale green or bluish color. In addition, the surface can be decorated with rusty patches. Separately, it is worth mentioning that only the female is engaged in building the nest and incubating future offspring. Often in a year you can find 2 clutches.
7. During wintering and seasonal migrations, bunches often occur in open areas. It is worth noting that most buntings return to their usual habitats. However, it is not typical for punochkas. In some areas, quite unusual species of such birds were found.
8. The size of the bodies in the individuals in question often does not exceed 14 cm. As for the physique, the bunches are somewhat similar to small finches. When the mating season begins, the male acquires a blue-blue outfit. In autumn, the birds in question have a better disguise.

Interesting Facts

1. Most people who have ever seen a bird in the depths of the mainland are often mistaken. They ran across simple albino sparrows. Such individuals are quite common. It is worth noting that in the snow little wings the wings are black in color.
2. In some cases, the individuals in question are even sedentary. This applies to Icelandic birds, which try to stay in one place all year round.

Since olden times, the individuals of the group under discussion have been called Snow Maidens. In places of nesting these birds appear at the end of spring. Today's material is devoted to these unique birds, their way of life, nesting and feeding.

Video: bunochka (Plectrophenax nivalis)