Reel - description, habitat, interesting facts

Finches are small birds, very similar in appearance to ordinary sparrows. The main feature of these birds is the color change of the feather cover depending on the season.

Description

The body of such a bird as a finch is small in size, not exceeding 140-150 mm in length. The average bird weight is about 20-22 grams. I would like to draw attention to the fact that the sternum of this representative of the feathered world in any season has one plumage color - a bright orange color. The plumage of the neck and back of a finch changes depending on the current time of the year (dark in summer, gray-brown in the cold season). Although the beak of the bird has rather modest dimensions, nevertheless, it is quite wide, its color is black. Legs of bird with sharp tenacious claws, color - gray. The males of the finch, unlike their girlfriends, are distinguished by a more vivid and attractive color scheme of the feather cover.

As indicated above, finches are small and very lively birds belonging to the group of vorbiniformes. This species of birds is great singers singing their calm and melodic songs sitting on tree branches. In flight, they often make louder and sharper sounds.

Behavior features

One of the features of these small birds is that they can live in pairs or alone. The finch selects a nesting place for a very long time and carefully, and shrubs are considered the ideal place to build this bird’s dwelling. This is due to concern for future offspring, which the birds hide away from prying eyes.

The main diet of reels is a variety of small insects, for which these birds hunt both on the ground and in the air, while performing breathtaking acrobatic stunts.

Species distribution

The finch population is quite widespread, the colonies of these nimble and attractive birds with their bright plumage inhabit the Eurasian continent, South Africa.

For nesting, birds mainly choose a location located near forests, park areas. Note that such feathered as finches are not at all afraid of humans, therefore, often their nests can be seen near human housing, especially if the latter is located in close proximity to a forest belt or large water sources.

Finches are a migratory species of birds that migrate to the hibernation in the warm regions with the beginning of autumn and return to the nesting site with the onset of April. During the winter season, reels tend to fly to Asian countries and southern Europe.

Kinds

Currently, experts have identified several subspecies of feathered finch. Moreover, all subspecies are characterized by pronounced dimorphism, which is manifested by the bright and eye-plumage of the male plumage. The most famous representatives of this family of birds include the following subspecies:

• Canary.
• Mozambican.
• Snowy.
• Red-handed, royal.
• Yellow-bellied.
• Galapagos
• Big cactus.
• Sharp-billed.
• Medium / small earthen.
• Mangrove woody.
• Woodpecker.
• Grey.
• Damara Alario.
• Alario.

Propagation Features

Finches are birds distinguished by their monogamous nature. Although this is so, nevertheless, they never neglect the possibility of coexistence with their other relatives in a large flock. In addition, this does not bother them at all to create a couple and remain faithful to their girlfriend for the rest of their lives. Depending on the subspecies, these birds can erect nests both individually and jointly.

We draw attention to the fact that the subspecies of finches have significant differences among themselves, respectively, this clearly indicates that the exact answer regarding sexual dimorphism simply does not exist. That is, in some subspecies of a finch it is expressed quite distinctly, while in others it is weaker.

As mentioned above, subspecies of finch have significant differences, and therefore some species are able to lay eggs as much as once in one year, and some only 2 times per nesting season. As a rule, the average number of eggs in a clutch does not exceed 8 pcs. The color of the eggs is mostly white. But it can be colorful. The nest of this type of feathered neat geometric shape. For its construction, grass and dry twigs are used.

The duration of incubation of future offspring is about 14-16 days. The female finch is engaged in incubation mainly, the male’s task at this time is to obtain food for feeding her friend.

As a rule, both the female and the male are engaged in feeding the hatched chicks; after 2 weeks, the matured offspring begin to make their first attempts to stand on the feather and rise into the air.

Bird keeping

Note that if you are a bird lover and decide to have such a bright small bird as a finch at home, in this case it is better to get a little chick. It should also be borne in mind that this species of birds is quite difficult to endure loneliness, so the acquisition of a young pair of birds is the best solution. The life cycle of these nimble birds with proper care is about 15 years.

For maintenance, a fairly spacious bird cage made of metal is best suited, between the branches of which you can place tree branches and a variety of vegetation, which these birds really like. The cage should be installed in a place well-lit by sunlight, do not forget about the constant influx of fresh air (the cage should not stand in a draft).

Favorite delicacy of domestic birds are small nuts. You should also take care of a suitable feed for this type of bird, which can be purchased at any pet store. The main condition for keeping reels is the constant availability of fresh and clean water in the drinker.

Interesting Facts

1. As mentioned above, subspecies of finches have cardinal differences among themselves, for example, some species are quite peaceful birds that feed on vegetation and insects, and some finches are real predators that can eat meat and blood of other birds and small animals.
2. Such birds as finches are flocks of birds, so if you decide to have young individuals of this species, in this case you can add them to the aviary for other birds.
3. Finches are small birds with a temper that is characterized by their temper, so it is not uncommon for these birds to engage in fights with other species.

Video: reel (Fringilla montifringilla)