Field horse - description, habitat, interesting facts

Skates are the largest variety of songbirds. They can be found on almost every continent except Antarctica. Such a widespread population of these birds is explained by the great diversity of their species. Thus, more than four dozen varieties of these miniature birds are united in the "skates" family. All skates are very similar in appearance, so only an experienced ornithologist can determine their belonging to a particular species.

Brief description of birds

Skates belong to the family of wagtail. These small, very elegant birds have their own external features: long and mobile legs, slightly rounded wings, tail with a notch. The body of the skates has an oblong shape, and its length in adults does not exceed an average of 18 cm.

The plumage of this family of birds is characterized by a dark brown color on the back, and dirty white hues prevail on the abdomen. For skates, the presence of variegated inclusions and all kinds of plumage patterns is characteristic. Moreover, each type of bird has a different type of pattern. In this regard, the coloring of the spotted ridge is especially attractive - on the back of the bird it has a pronounced olive shade with an admixture of green. Also noteworthy is the performing manner of these songbirds. Experts believe that it is easiest to determine how skates belong to a particular species by singing.

What do birds eat?

What regions do skates live in?

The habitat of these little birds is very extensive. They can be found in a variety of geographical areas. Skates feel comfortable both in hot Africa and on the Eurasian continent. Due to the prevalence of this family of birds, there is a wide variety of species. So, in the subantarctic zone, a large ridge settles, and the American and Red-throated skates have long settled in the Arctic tundra.

Some species of these birds have chosen alpine meadows in the Alps, where they feel great and actively breed. Birds living in the northern regions migrate before winter. They are waiting for the arrival of spring on the African continent or in Asia.

Distinctive features of the main types of skate

As previously noted, even an experienced specialist is difficult to determine by external indicators the belonging of an individual representative of this species of birds to a specific species. These birds are so similar among themselves that it is necessary to take into account several criteria at once. Let us dwell on the characteristic features of each species.

1. Field horse. This small bird lives in Eurasia, as well as in the north of the African continent. Her plumage on the back is painted in brown, sandy, yellowish tones with dark spots. The abdomen is light, and on the sides and breast the plumage has a brownish tint. In young individuals on the upper part of the body can be seen a pattern in the form of scales.
2. Steppe horse. This species is considered the largest, because adult individuals reach a length of up to 20 cm.Also a distinctive feature of the species are too long legs and an excessively long hind claw. The color on the back is brown with characteristic transverse dark stripes. There are also stripes on the breast and lateral parts, but they are several tones lighter than the main background. The plumage on the stomach is pure white. The steppe horse lives in the steppe zones of Kazakhstan, Mongolia. Sometimes a bird settles on the slopes of the mountains. Migrates to the southern part of Asia for the winter.
3. Berthelota (Canary horse). This type of bird prefers open, large spaces. Birds differ in miniature size (no more than 15 cm in length). The color of the plumage is gray-brown in adults and saturated chestnut tones prevail in young animals. In birds of this species there is no sexual dimorphism.
4. Forest Shepherd. Representatives of this species also have small parameters. The brownish-gray back of the birds is decorated with mottled specks of a darker tone. The same mottled spots are visible on the sides and chest, and the abdomen is plain, light. The claw on the back finger is short. The forest horse is found mainly on the Eurasian continent.
5. Menzbir. This is perhaps the smallest type of skates. Birds have dark plumage with bright mottled spots on the back. Their tummy stands out with a rich yellow tint. On the wings there are contrasting stripes: black in the center, and at the edges - white with greenery. This species of birds lives in Siberia.
6. Meadow horse. Representatives of this species externally resemble forest skates, only their sizes are slightly smaller (up to 15 cm). The color of the plumage is dominated by gray tones, and the breast has a light yellow hue. Thin stripes pass over this background. Individuals of this species have a thin, sharp beak and red legs. These migratory birds nest in swamps, meadows. They prefer places with high humidity. In winter they migrate a little south of their usual habitat.

This is not a complete list of skate types. There are more than forty of them. Here are descriptions of birds that can be found in the vastness of our country.

Rules for keeping birds at home

Skates are very cute, charming creatures. Representatives of some species willingly make contact with humans. And their melodic singing caresses the ear and soothes. Therefore, some wildlife lovers decide to have such a singing companion at home. It should be noted that skates are not burdened by bondage. With good care, they delight the hosts with their songs.

To make the bird feel comfortable, it will need a spacious cage and a balanced diet for living. In the diet should be present: daphnia, curd mash, carrots, gammarus, it is allowed to give eggs. As a treat, insects, flour worms are suitable. Skate will not refuse grain mixtures, in which there are a lot of necessary vitamins.

True, breeding skates for home maintenance is not practiced. Therefore, not so often people decide to make such a feathered friend.

Interesting Facts

1. A female skate is engaged in the construction of the nest.
2. These birds look for insects for food on the ground.
3. There is such an ancient belief: if you hide a feather of a meadow ridge under a porch, then the house will be reliably protected from fires.
4. You can distinguish the type of skate by the characteristics of singing. But only a very experienced specialist with good musical ear can handle this task. For example, the singing of a field horse is dominated by double sounds: “tee” and “li”. Menzira performs her song, flying at high altitude. This is a very calm melody, which is touchingly displayed by the male. The rocky horse also does not like loud singing. But the meadow horse can be unmistakably recognized by its high voice and sharp sounds.