Dubonos - description, habitat, interesting facts

Common oak tree - an interesting representative of the order of passerines. According to the generic classification, it belongs to the family finch, which establishes a conditional relationship of birds with such widespread and well-known birds as bullfinches, greenfinches, carduelis, as well as finches and even canaries. The distribution of oak trees is quite extensive. They live even in the most remote parts of the European continent, although at first glance they resemble exotic birds. The reason for such thoughts may be the secrecy of individuals and their habit of settling away from human settlements.

At the same time, representatives of this species are difficult to meet, for example, in the United Kingdom or the Scandinavian countries. Very few populations live on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. In turn, a huge number of birds of this species live in the warm regions of Spain and Bulgaria, not bypassing or rather not bypassing Central Europe, the Crimean peninsula beloved by many and the wonderful Caucasus. The Asian part of the mainland is also populated by oak lumberjacks. In particular, birds can be found in northern Iran, Afghanistan, Japan and eastern China.

Dubonosy are migratory birds, because they are forced to change the severity of the climate of the northern regions to the southern latitudes favorable for overwintering. In areas where seasonality is poorly expressed, oak trees prefer settledness to a nomadic way of life.

What does a bird look like?

Let us turn to the features of the plumage of a bird. The color of males differs in brightness from the fadedness of females. The back and abdomen, creating a common background, are painted in light brown. Sometimes the plumage of an individual has a reddish tint. The bird's neck is indicated by a bright spot resembling a small tie. Light plumage marked the lower part of the head. Contrasting strips of black color connect the eyes of the bird and its beak. Similar "strokes" are present on the plumage of the wings. In addition, the wings are decorated with a composition of several stripes of white, brown and blue colors. The outskirts of a baton's wing are usually covered with white feathers. Often, the plumage of females has additional decorative elements, the role of which are transverse stripes decorating the head of the bird.

Features of breeding birds

The mating season of oak tree begins immediately when signs of the onset of spring appear, although singing birds of this species are often found in the winter months. However, real revitalization among populations occurs in April. May is the best time for the construction of nests by representatives of this species of birds. Work on its creation lasts long enough, as it is a very painstaking bird craft. As an average duration of this period, ornithologists record 1 month.The nests of oak-tree beetles, as well as other representatives of the genus Carduelis, are located on medium and tall trees. Their shape resembles a slightly loose and rather deep bowl, the radius and height of which reaches approximately 100 millimeters. The material for making the nest is twigs, twigs, and roots. Usually the frame or the outer part of the nest is woven from a large and durable material, then inside it is lined with grass, leaves, horsehair or moss.

In the created nest, at the end of May, a female oak tree lays eggs, the number of which varies from 3 to 5 pieces. The color of the eggs is heterogeneous, it is a light background on which dark spots and curls of brown or violet color are located. For the entire summer period, the bird produces only one clutch. The female is predominantly engaged in hatching future offspring for 14 days. During this period, the male takes on the task of providing the female with food, and also carefully monitors her safety.

After the birth of the chicks remain in the nest for 13-16 days. Both female and male are looking for food for newly-born offspring. It is interesting that the first days of the chicks are fed exclusively with insects. This diet is due to the need for a growing body in a large amount of protein. Only after the initial stage of feeding, parents bring oak trees to the nest and plant foods. By early August, the chicks are becoming the most independent. In September, nesting birds leave the area where they stayed throughout spring and most of the summer.

The average life expectancy of oak tree in the natural habitat is equivalent to 4-5 years. There are facts indicating the ability of representatives of this species to live for 14 years.

How do birds behave?

The first impression that emerges from anyone observing oak tree species characterizes the birds as phlegmatic and even partially lazy. It is immediately worth noting that it is a strong fallacy and is explained by the ability of birds of this species to sit still for a long time. Dubonosa fly fast, but prefer to overcome short distances both in groups and individually. At the time of the flight, they catch insects. An adult is able to rise to a height of 250 meters.

Dubonosy have good quick wits. The secrecy of the way of life of birds is determined by their preference for life and nests deep in the crowns of trees. The descent of birds to the ground occurs at the time of the search for food or the need for quenching thirst. However, even in these cases, they do not fly far from the trees.

Usually the birds feed on the seeds of berries. So, the most favorite feast of birds is cherry pits. Their oak tree easily splits with its large beak. In addition, the bird eats shoots and buds of young trees in spring, as well as insects, which are found in abundance in the bark and foliage in summer.

Where do the birds live?

The distribution range of birds is limited to a longitudinal strip across Eurasia, originating from the islands on which Britain is located, to Alaska. During the flight, birds get to Morocco and Algeria. Some populations have found suitable habitats in northern Africa.

For nesting, mixed forests are preferred, where they live secretly, climbing deep into the crowns of trees. Central Europe - the most widespread distribution of this species of birds.

Dubonos is a pet

There are recorded cases of capture of oak trees by people for home maintenance. They are rare, but deserve special attention. The reason the bird probably caught the attention of people is its attractive appearance. Domecones live at home in a cage. By the necessary conditions for a comfortable life, this bird is not considered finicky.Within 3-4 weeks after capture, the feathered behaves wary, but subsequently easily tamed.

The bird cage should be large and spacious. When choosing the material for the manufacture of the "home", the choice should definitely fall on the metal or, in extreme cases, allow a combination of metal with other materials, since the strong beak of a bird easily bites through wooden rods.

To create the necessary living conditions for a bird in a cage, it is worthwhile to place not only a feeder and a drinking bowl with water, but also a tank for bathing the bird (popularly called a “bathing place”). As noted earlier, thinking about the phlegmatic temperament of a bird is a fallacy. To make sure in experience this will help a toy that can be placed in a cage.

Pay attention to the diet, which must be maintained by any caring owner. So, seeds of such plants as sunflower, oats or hemp are perfect for eating oak-trees. Birds will like pea pod or tree seeds: alder, linden, ash. Exquisite delicacies for the bird will be pine nuts.

Interesting Facts

1. Populations of oak trees do not spread towards the Northeast parts of the globe. This explains the absence of oak trees in Denmark, Norway or Sweden.
2. Regarding songbirds, the oak tree does not differ in beautiful and melodic trills. His singing is reminiscent of rattling chatter and crackling.
3. The belonging of an individual to the floor affects the size of the bird, so female oak-bearing trees look more miniature.

Video: common oak tree (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)