Crested blacken - description, habitat, interesting facts

A clear representative of the family of ducks is considered to be a crested blacken, which is so nicknamed because of the peculiar hairstyle on the head. As the name implies, the bird has a crest - a distinctive feature of the group.

Features of the form

This duck is not large. The name she received because of the presence of the tuft. Otherwise, members of the family are called white-sided or chernushka, all invented names to some extent characterize the appearance.

To individuals comfortably exist and do not disappear in terms of numbers, they need a reservoir rich in vegetation. It's all about the ability of ducks to dive well, they can swim under water to a depth of 10 m. This is how birds get food. Therefore, individuals are often found in deep water sources such as the open sea, etc.

When they dive under water, they can quickly catch fish, mollusks, crustaceans, insects of various nature. When there is nothing to eat, these birds lean on plant foods, adding it to their main menu. These birds belong to the dive, but here the ups are given only after the run.

Description

1. These individuals prefer to dwell in cold climatic regions. They are found in the tundra, steppe zones, are sedentary and live collectively. Representatives of the family in nature diving.
2. They stop near the lakes in the marshes, where there is dense vegetation. Most often, birds are met in Siberia and in nearby areas. It is important for them that the lakes are surrounded by bushes.
3. Along the length of the body, these ducks reach 50 cm. As for the mass of the body, individuals grow up to 0.5-0.7 kg. The body is strong, the head is large, the neck is mobile, the paws are painted gray.
4. Eyes resemble buttons, yellowish iris with bright patches. The beak is gray with a blue tint, it is wide, so when catching fish the bird copes so well with the task and feeds.
5. When the mating season begins, the drakes are painted in black plumage.On the side parts they have white stripes, and on the head there is a crest, combed back.
6. Females are not so brightly pigmented during mating games. They are alternating black plumage with brownish patches, and whitish reflections barely visible. The duck duck is not as long as the pen of a man.
7. An interesting feature is the fact that this duckless chick does not publish quacky typical for the family. Females make sounds like guttural cries, and drakes are more silent. They can occasionally whiz.
8. Diving ducks, as mentioned earlier. These members of the family are compact, they have a white stripe on the wings. Gender differences certainly exist.
9. Males are black with whitish markings, they have an elongated tuft. The samochka, on the contrary, is brownish brown, and the barlock is light. Also, females may have a spot in the area of ​​the beak, but this is not a requirement.

Habitat

Individuals of the represented breed group prefer to nest in brackish or freshwater sources.They need vegetation, densely located at the edges of the reservoir. Prefer places with decent depth, because of these ducks make excellent dives. At the same time, the water surface should be open so that everything is clearly visible.

Nutrition

1. The individuals represented are diving ducks. Such birds are able to spend a long time under water in search of food. Diving takes place with a short jump. To blacken as if throws the neck and head forward. After that, the birds sink to the depth.
2. Due to the movement of strong paws, individuals descend to water up to 2 m. If a bird finds nothing at such depth, it is able to dive as much as 14 m. Representatives of the stronger sex are able to stay under water for up to 40 seconds. Under normal conditions of obtaining food, they dive for a while.
3. The represented individuals on their paws have dense membranes for swimming. The body of such a bird is somewhat similar to the shape of a cigar. In this case, the center of gravity is shifted closer to the rear. The feathers, located on the side, form the side pockets. It is in them that the wing wings hide.
4. Thus, the wings during diving are completely dry.Often in the diet of black duck include snails, crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic insects and fish. The bird also feeds on vegetation that grows in reservoirs.
5. The represented individuals may feed on various seeds and insect larvae. Individuals of this kind of food are collected by means of a wide beak.

Breeding

1. Every year during the nesting season, such individuals find a new pair for themselves. The birds start choosing their companion from winter to the end of spring. Often it happens that the blacks are broken up into pairs before departure to the nesting sites.
2. An interesting phenomenon is the marriage dance. It, the couple commits together. At such a moment, you can see that the male makes quite interesting and quiet whistles. Also, the drake begins to bow its head to its second half.
3. At this time, the ducks together pull the beaks forward and begin simultaneously shaking their heads. As soon as mating has occurred, the male begins to swim around the chosen one. Birds find a place to create a nest in the middle of spring. And laying takes place only in May.

Interesting Facts

1. As soon as the blacken begins to take off, a characteristic whistle can be heard from the wings.
2. It is worth noting that such ducks live in flocks. At the same time it can be up to 1000 individuals.
3. Often nesting blacks occurs in colonies together with gulls.
4. During mating and dancing games, the male's yellow color becomes much brighter and more expressive.

Since the duck family has many representatives, the hunters have questions how to understand who exactly is in front of their eyes. Today you have learned everything about blackening.

Video: Crested Slough (Aythya fuligula)