Raven - description, habitat, interesting facts

The ravens are counted among the corvidae family and the passer-like order. These birds are famous for their temperament. If you believe the opinion of linguists, then this name is consonant with the words "enemy", "enemy", "fortune-teller". These birds prefer to live in warm climatic regions, so their distribution affects Asian and African countries. Today we will look at all the features that affect the birds of the represented family.

Habitat

1. These birds are common in many parts of our planet, but most of them are in Asia, Europe, the United States of America and North Africa. As for the habitat, there are also ambiguous situations. Birds can settle in the highlands and feel great surrounded by shrubs. But they also inhabit the desert meadows, urban array and forest belt.
2. Individuals occur in their range at different times of the year. However, in some regional parts, it was found that individuals from these areas migrate. For example, birds, common in Turkmenistan and the Caucasus, prefer to lead a migratory lifestyle. They do not settle in one place, but wander from one area to another.
3. In the winter, crows are found near human settlements, because in these parts they have a greater likelihood that food will be found. Ravens are attracted to landfills, where you can dig into the mountain of garbage and find something tasty.

Lifestyle

1. These birds are endowed with great intelligence. They are amenable to education, therefore, are contained by many people at home. Crow easily learns, can memorize a command and understand the intonation of a person. However, with all this, people who want to get such a pet, it is necessary to prepare for difficulties. These individuals show anger and aggression, may avenge offense and be jealous of other animals. The bird becomes attached to its owner, remaining faithful to it for life.
2. But as for communication with the younger generation, for the child, this breed group is fraught with danger.It is worth being careful, not leaving children with the bird alone. Crows prefer to destroy everything in their path, wielding powerful claws and a strong beak. They spoil the furniture and other interior items in the house. For example, they like to destroy equipment or pictures, strip off wallpapers and tear things.
3. These birds repel many by their unpleasant smell emanating from the plumage and skin. Therefore, special attention is paid to the maintenance of washing and hygiene. Nevertheless, despite this, there are some advantages of such birds in the house. They are smart, curious, interesting, can learn to talk, remain faithful to man.
4. As for life expectancy, in the wild habitat this period is limited to 15 years. But there were cases in which the birds lived to 40-55 years. If the maintenance of the house to ensure the birds proper care, they will live a long time. If you follow the legend, some individuals are able to exist for 100 years. But this is more a myth, not a truth.
5. These individuals lead a monogamous lifestyle, choosing their companion forever. They remain loyal to their partner, they will be sad and sad if, by tragic coincidence of circumstances, they lose the second half. Birds become sexually mature when they grow to 2 years.But for each particular member of the group, sexual maturity may occur earlier or, on the contrary, later.
6. For the construction of housing for future offspring, both parents are responsible. To this end, the birds fly for a long time around the neighborhood, looking for a suitable place on a powerful and tall tree. When they find it, they start preparing the nest and protecting it. The material for housing are branches, knots, grass, clay with mud.
7. Breeding takes its beginning at the end of winter, but the female gives eggs in early spring. Usually 4-6 babies are born with an interval of a couple of days. Eggs are very beautiful, gray with blue tint. Against this background, dot the brown color. Hatching is carried out not only by the female, but also by the father of the family, and it takes 3 weeks to complete the whole process. For a year, a pair of ravens will make 1 clutch, but under extraordinary circumstances, in the form of a destroyed nest, a female can produce offspring a second time.
8. When the chicks are born, they are fed by both parents. They are alternately sent in search of food, since the young are very voracious. When the progeny are 1.5-2 months old, they already lead a more independent lifestyle.They can leave home for personal needs, occasionally returning under the parent wing. When the cold approaches, the offspring are already fully prepared to live separately.

Description

1. The individuals of the represented family are the largest among themselves. The length of the body, they reach 55 cm and more. The female is slightly smaller, the representatives of the male sex are more massive. As for the weight of the body, the indicators vary in the range of 0.7—0.8 kg. (males) and 0.45-0.5 kg. (females). The wingspan of the female is 87 cm, the males are 100 cm. Approximately. The wings are sharp, powerful, thanks to which the bird successfully hunts.
2. According to its external data, the crow looks like a rook. But at the first individuals the body is more knocked down, massive and strong. The tail is wedge-shaped, tail feathers are long. The bill is pointed, strong, in the shape of a cone. Some species have a bend in this area. On long black paws 4 fingers, one of them is turned back.
3. Many ravens are colored black or gray. The plumage is thick, in sunlight shimmers with purple, silver, greenish or purple.In the main part the feathers are grayish, may be whitish.
4. The voice of the birds represented by the breed group is rough. Everyone is familiar with the guttural laughter of these individuals. They speak loudly, roughly, with some irony. During the mating season, you can even hear a kind of abuse or threats from a flock of birds.

Nutrition

1. The individuals in question generally try to adhere to a solitary lifestyle. Crows are active hunters. When searching for food, birds gather in flocks and go hunting. In addition, individuals are trying to arrange a big general feast. It is worth noting that the birds in question are scavengers.
2. Therefore, the crows can accompany other predators for a long time, until they get a tidbit. Often, these birds adhere to foxes and lynxes. Ultimately, the crows eat the remnants of uneaten food. Such birds feed on absolutely everything that can be edible.
3. In addition, crows often feed on butterflies, flies, worms, eggs of other birds, beetles, chicks, frogs, lizards, fish, squirrels and other small rodents.Even all kinds of food waste considered individuals perceived as a treat. Often, the accumulation of such birds can often be seen at city dumps. Crows also eat vegetables, plant seeds, and fruits.

Breeding

1. These birds reach sexual maturity at the age of more than 2 years. It is worth noting that such individuals are monogamous. Therefore, during the marriage period, a pair is formed, which remains faithful to each other until the end of life. During the mating games for individuals interesting to watch.
2. The male with the female begins to get different turns in the air. They tumble in flight and chase each other. Individuals start breeding, usually in the beginning or in the middle of spring. Often, the crows begin to build nests in squares and parks.
3. The female carries out laying between strong branches of trees. Also, the nests are often found on power poles. People found masonry behind the gutters and on the construction of cranes.
4. In addition, there are species of such birds, which mainly live on semi-desert and steppe landscapes. In this case individuals try to build dwellings on the cliffs and in the crevices of the rocks.Often the construction of the nest involved both birds. Crows painstakingly constructing a house of branches and twigs.
5. As a result, a nest is obtained, the diameter of which does not exceed 0.6 m. As for the height of the structure, it is no higher than 35 cm. Clay, turf and even pieces of wire are used as material for fastening construction debris. It is imperative that the bottom of the dwelling is lined with its own down, grass, feathers, cotton, and often rags.
6. The number of eggs in the clutch directly depends on the species of individuals. Often, the female can produce up to 8 eggs of a bluish or green color. At the same time dark inclusions can be observed. When the female begins to vidom, she does not leave the nest for 3 weeks. At this time, the male intently protects the family and supplies the companion with food.
7. Approximately on day 25, the youngsters bite on the light. It is worth noting that the chicks are born naked, without plumage. At this time, both parents begin to constantly bring food. The plumage of the young appears one month after hatching. If you suddenly see a chick accidentally drop out of the nest, it is not recommended to take it in your hands.
8. If parents see you at this time, they will make a terrible noise. At the same time, they stumble into a large flock. Crows begin to aggressively protect the cub. In this case, the birds do not care who to attack, they attack both the animal and the human. As soon as the beginning of summer begins, the young ones become on the wing and begin to leave the nests.
9. It is worth noting that in the first month of independent life, the chicks still try to be with their parents. At this time, adults protect their offspring. Towards the middle of summer the youngsters leave the nest and begin a full independent life. Chicks do not forget their parents and often help them in breeding the next offspring. Last year's chicks feed their small brothers and sisters.

Interesting Facts

1. Crows are happy clever individuals. Moreover, ingenuity can occur during the extraction of food. Such birds can throw a nut on the roadway so that the car crushes the shell. After that, they begin to eat.
2. The individuals in question will not eat stale bread; they pre-soak it in a puddle.
3. Such birds do not like to be bored, so when the opportunity arises they will always be entertained.Often, crows in the winter season ride with ice slides and roofs. They also tease dogs and cats.

In today's article we have studied everything that affects the interesting and grumpy ravens. They are famous for their intellectual abilities, so in many cases they live together with people as pets. The presented family has many features, they are unique and fun.

Video: Raven (Corvus corax)