Linnet - description, habitat, interesting facts

The birds of this species are rightfully considered the most melodious. They belong to the family of passerines, sing melodiously, have thousands of different sounds in their stock. Linnet is so well expressed by songs that in this regard it can bypass a titmouse, a nightingale or a lark. You can listen to this individual in hemp fields. Grains of this vegetation are considered to be the main basis of the diet of birds. Today we will consider everything that affects individuals of this family. We study the habitat, features and other aspects.

Description

1. Linnet is a bird of the sparrow family, which is distinguished by its average size. By external signs, these individuals are often confused with titmouse. Distinctive characteristics are dimensions. Individuals grow up to 15 cm in the body. Maximum, their weight ranges from 17-24 gr. Among all representatives of passerines, these individuals are the smallest.
2. According to the color of the body, they do not stand out, pigmented in a gray-brown tone. Pink feathers are present in the area above the tail. The lateral parts and the abdominal region are almost whitish. In the neck there is a light streak. In the area of ​​the wings there are lines of black and white tones. Black stripes are wider than white. The same pattern can be observed in the tail area.
3. There are differences in gender, they are manifested in the color of plumage. Linnet can have a speck of scarlet on the head or a reddish shade of plumage on the chest. Typically, these characteristics are characteristic of males. Females are not so colorful, because in the process of hatching offspring they need to merge with the environment.
4. The beak is wide at the base, but short. The color is brown with a gray tint. The length does not exceed two distances between the nostrils. It is this feature that distinguishes linnet from its relatives. The clawed legs are long, the toes are strong with sharp claws. The legs are pigmented in a brown tone.
5. The shape of the wings is sharp, oblong. In the peak zone there is a couple of fly feathers. The wing is approximately 8 cm in length. The tail is weak and moderately long, about 4 cm. It is also worth mentioning that the palatine zone of these birds is ribbed. Thanks to what they easily click kernels and seeds.

Nutrition

1. In these birds, the basis of the diet is food of plant origin. Due to such nutrition, they do not need to fly anywhere in search of bugs and other insects. They lead a settled lifestyle, because they can always diversify their menu with the seeds of various plants.
2. However, in the summertime, individuals do not mind eating midges, cottage cheese, ants, insect larvae and insects themselves, as well as chicken eggs. About the same nutrition in babies, weak chicks grow faster due to protein compounds.
3. If we consider food of plant type, individuals eat sunflower seeds, burdock, plantain, sorrel, poppy and hemp (sprouted grain). By their natural characteristics, birds can consume various vegetation.
4. They lean on colza and canola due to the abundance of fat in these varieties. Thanks to such nutrition, the birds are always energetic and full. But they quickly digest food, so within an hour they feel hungry.

Habitat

1. Represented birds may have a different habitat. Many factors depend on the particular subspecies of the birds. Common linnet often live in Scandinavia, the former USSR and Europe. As for the Russian territories, individuals mainly nest in the western part.
2. The Crimean species of this individual does not leave the peninsula. Accordingly, such birds are not found anywhere else. As for Turkestan repov, they live on the territory of Iran, Transcaspian Territory, Afghanistan, Turkestan, India and Mesopotamia. There is also an Asian subspecies.
3. It is impossible to answer with accuracy whether the individuals in question are migratory or not. Part of the subspecies prefers to lead a sedentary lifestyle. To a greater extent, this applies to those birds that mainly live in warm regions. Other linnet go for winter in Africa and Iran.
4. Often, under normal conditions of existence and during flights, individuals try to stay in small flocks. In each of them there are no more than 30 individuals. Such birds move residually noisily. Often birds try to hide in thickets of bushes and tall grass.
5. The considered individuals have a huge number of enemies. Because of this feature, they are timid. Therefore, this greatly interferes with the home content of these individuals. Birds are afraid of cats, dogs and other pets. Also, birds are scared of people. Birds need secluded houses and cages that are high.
6. Often, breeders settle hemp in one spacious enclosure together with canaries, carduelis and greenfinches. As a result, all presented individuals can interbreed without any problems. A completely viable young growth is born. As a result of such hybrids, they are much easier to maintain at home.

Breeding

1. The nesting period for the represented birds begins from mid-spring to the end of summer. During this time, individuals make 2 clutches, each of which has up to 5 eggs.
2. Birds hatch eggs for a crescent. At this time, the male brings food. In general, after a month and a half, the chicks become independent and leave the nest.

Linnet belong to harmless birds. They are quite beautiful, and it is interesting to observe them during the mating season. During nesting, individuals show special care for each other and offspring. Both parents are engaged in feeding and raising young animals.

Video: Linnet (Carduelis cannabina)