A red bird from the corvid family. Corvid birds: description, photo, diet, characteristics and features of the species. Different, but very similar
Corvids can be found almost everywhere. They are one of the most famous birds of Eurasia, including Russia.
A number of places have their own endemic (that is, living only there) species, such as America and East Asia.
A number of corvids can migrate long distances.
Appearance
Most corvids are quite large birds; Moreover, this family includes the most big birds from passerines: the body length of the common raven and bronze crow can reach 65 centimeters, and weight - 1.5 kg.
black raven photo
At the same time, there are also relatively small species - the smallest representatives weigh only 40 g. Many corvids are black in color, which has become the reason for the mystical attitude towards them in European culture.
Lifestyle
Now let’s talk about what is most mysterious about these birds. Representatives of the corvid family are called “monkeys of the bird world” due to their exceptionally high intelligence. Numerous experiments and observations have shown that the mental abilities of corvids are not inferior to those of higher primates.
forty photos
They know how to use tools, including processing workpieces (for example, sharpening sticks) and storing the manufactured equipment. long time.
They easily learn new skills, and absolutely independently; large-billed crows in Tokyo are known to have learned to throw nuts under the wheels of cars in order to then pick up the broken ones from the road.
jay photo
An experiment in which a raven was given water to drink from a high container, so that its beak could not reach the liquid, became widely known. The bird quickly realized and began throwing pebbles and other objects into the vessel until the water level rose; at the same time, when choosing objects, the raven understood which of them would sink in water and which would not sink and therefore were unsuitable for this procedure.
Many corvids have pronounced social rituals - for example, they can express a whole range of emotions, even sadness. Magpies are the only birds that recognize themselves in the mirror. Another highly intelligent bird, the parrot, also reacts to the image in the mirror, but mistakes its own reflection for another parrot.
- Type: Chordata
- Class: Birds (Aves)
- Order: Passerines (Passeres)
- Suborder: Singers (Oscines)
- Family: Ravens (Codvidae)
Corvids are one of the most common and most interesting birds. Many people, unfortunately, are prejudiced against them. At the same time, people know very little about these birds; many, for example, do not suspect that a raven and a crow are not a female and a male, but different types birds. Corvids are one of the most intelligent birds, with a very high and complex level of higher nervous activity. “Whoever does not recognize the intelligence of animals, let him watch the crow longer,” wrote Bram.
The family unites over 100 species belonging to 20-32 genera, distributed almost everywhere, in the CIS - 14-16 species, from 8 genera. The largest genus, Corvus, includes 38 species. Some representatives are raven, crow, rook, jackdaw, magpie, jay, nutcracker, kuksha and others.
Appearance quite characteristic - a peculiar “crow” appearance is inherent in all representatives of the family. If you look at them more closely, you will notice that these birds are distinguished by a surprisingly harmonious and proportional physique, without “excesses”.
Size - medium and large, weight - from 50 grams to 1.5 kg (raven). The body is dense, the head is large, the beak is large, somewhat curved along the ridge. The nostrils are covered with bristle-like feathers. Sexual dimorphism in color is not expressed, but males are larger than females, with a more massive beak. Corvids - omnivorous birds. They nest in separate pairs or colonies; pairs can persist for several years. The nests are massive, sometimes with a roof (magpie). There are from 2 to 7 eggs in a clutch. In some species, both the female and the male incubate; in others, only the female incubates. The incubation period is 16-22 days, the chicks are fed by both partners. The chicks fly out of the nest at the age of 3-5 weeks. For some time, the chicks stay with their parents, who feed them.
Once taken from the nest as chicks, corvids are easily tamed. They are rarely kept at home, mainly due to their large size, but at the same time they are most interesting birds For home care. Complex and intelligent behavior, a high ability to imitate human speech, and practical omnivory are just some of the reasons why these birds are of interest as pets.
Many people, unfortunately, are prejudiced against corvids; many consider them unattractive, commonplace, and even harmful. Regarding the latter, only one thing can be said - there are no “harmful” species in nature, nature does not create anything superfluous, harmful, or unnecessary. And the concept of “harmful” and “useful” species was introduced by people to justify their own predatory instincts, barbaric and consumerist attitude towards nature. As for the first, this is only because you have never looked closely at them. Take a closer look at the common hooded crow - how beautiful and harmonious her build is, her discreet but beautiful formal outfit made from a combination of gray and black tones, how smart, cunning, and quick-witted she is... And the raven, the eternal hero of myths and legends, is a majestic, proud, beautiful, wise bird... And the magpie, with its bright black and white plumage with a greenish and purple tint, is not inferior in beauty to tropical birds. In general, take a closer look at the corvids, and you will not be able to help but fall in love with them...
On this site you will find interesting and educational information about corvids. Site materials are constantly updated.
Corvids, or raven(Latin Corvidae) is a widespread family of passerine birds, including species such as black and hooded crows, rooks, jackdaws, common raven, common and blue magpies. The family consists of more than 120 various types birds represented on almost all continents. The birds are medium to large in size and have a noticeable resemblance in appearance. Many members of the family have black plumage, but there are also brightly colored species. They feed mainly on insects, partly on grains. Among large northern species, a significant place is occupied by hunting for eggs and chicks of other birds, searching for carrion and robbery.
Description
Some ravens are the largest representatives of the passerines: the weight of the common raven (Corvus corax) and the bronze crow (Corvus crassirostris) can exceed 1.5 kg and a length of 65 cm. On the other hand, the smallest species is Aphelocoma nana, weighing only about 40 g, and its length is 21.5 cm. The physique is dense. The legs are strong and well adapted for walking on the ground. The beak is strong, conical in shape. The plumage is single-color or contrasting; most often black, gray, brown, light brown or white, sometimes with a metallic sheen. Sexual dimorphism is not expressed, although males are slightly larger than females. They scream loudly, sharply, unpleasantly, “croaking.”
Intelligence
Several species have very high intelligence, comparable to higher primates. Because of this, they become the object of research by scientists. Intelligence is expressed in understanding the mechanics of processes occurring both in nature and in tests specially created by scientists, and in the use of one or more tools to achieve an edible goal. Many species use their abilities only in captivity, and some (for example, the New Caledonian crow) use tools in nature.
Social behavior
Quick and easy to learn, flocking birds sometimes come to each other's aid. Crows, rooks and jackdaws often settle within populated areas, forming numerous colonies. Often highly organized: for example, jackdaws (Corvus monedula) have a complex social hierarchy. It is known that young birds often play complex educational games, including collective ones, which require a certain intelligence. For example, they throw twigs into the air and try to catch them; lie on their back and touch an object with their legs and beak; they play a game together like “king of the hill”: they try to push each other out of a certain place; holding an object in their beak, they fly and collide with other birds until the object falls.
Some species can be quite aggressive towards other animals. For example, blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) are known to attack anyone who approaches their nest. Dogs, cats, and other birds of prey become victims of birds.
Spreading
Representatives of the family are found everywhere, with the exception of the southern tip South America and Antarctica. The greatest biodiversity is found in the tropical regions of Central and South America, as well as in Eurasia. In Africa, North America and Australia, collectively less than 10 species of ravens are known.
Most species lead a sedentary lifestyle, although in the north and east of Europe they can migrate short distances in a southwestern direction. During migration they gather in large flocks.
Nutrition
Most are omnivores - they feed on both plant and animal foods: insects and other invertebrate animals, eggs of other birds, small mammals, berries, fruits and plant seeds. They often eat carrion. Some species have adapted well to life in populated areas and feed on waste human food. Studies conducted by American ornithologists in the United States regarding American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos), common ravens (Corvus corax) and Steller's blue jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) showed that ravens turned out to be the most omnivorous among all birds, feeding on the waste of such products, like bread, pasta, chips, sandwiches, dog food and livestock feed. The same study found that the presence of such waste affects the overall number of birds.
Reproduction
Monogamous, pairs remain for a long time, in many species throughout life. Nests are usually built in treetops; as building material dry branches fastened with grass or bark are used. Both the male and female build the nest. The clutch consists of 3-10 (usually 4-7) eggs, usually pale green with brown spots. Once hatched, the chicks remain in the nest for 6-10 weeks depending on the species.
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Crow family
All birds that make up one large group, called a class in zoology, are divided into groups, like schoolchildren, when within one class it is necessary to form two or more teams. Only birds are divided into groups not anyhow, but according to similar characteristics. In turn, orders include families - groups of birds that have one or more ancestors that are similar in structure and other characteristics. Families are ultimately represented by genera, and each genus by a group of species. There is nowhere to go further, except perhaps we can talk about subspecies and various geographical forms, but there are no longer any serious differences between them that would prevent joint reproduction, therefore certain types you won't announce them. So, in the avian order of passerines, the richest in the number of species, there is one separate family, known for its large representatives and their extraordinary mental abilities. We are talking about the corvid family. We will talk about the most striking and frequently encountered people, especially since only 14 species of this curious family live on the territory of Russia.
Taxonomy of the family Raven, or corvids:
Genus: Aphelocoma Cabanis, 1851 = Scrub Jays
Genus: Calocitta G.R.Gray, 1841 =
Genus: Cissa Boie, 1826 = Azure Magpie
Genus: Coloeus Kaup = Jackdaws
Genus: Corvus Linnaeus, 1758 = Crows
Species: Corvus cornix Linnaeus, 1758 = Hoodie Crow
Species: Corvus corax Linnaeus, 1758 = (Common) raven
Species: Corvus corone Linnaeus, 1758 = Carrion Crow
Species: Corvus frugilegus Linnaeus, 1758 = Rook
Species: Corvus monedula Linnaeus, 1758 = Jackdaw
Species: Corvus levaillantii Lesson, 1831 = Large-billed crow
Genus: Cractes = Kukshi
Genus: Cyanocitta = Blue jays
Species: Cyanocitta cristata = North American blue jay
Genus: Cyanopica Bonaparte, 1850 = Blue Magpie
Species: Cyanopica cyana = Blue Magpie
Genus: Garulus Brisson, 1760 = Jays
Species: Garulus glandarius = Jay
Genus: Nucifraga Brisson, 1760 = Kedrovka
Species: Nucifraga caryocatactes = Nutcracker
Genus: Perisoreus Bonaparte, 1831 = Kukshi
Species: Cractes infaustus = Suksha
Genus: Pica Brisson, 1760 = Magpie
Species: Pica pica = Magpie
Genus: Platylophus Swainson, 1832 = Crested jays
Genus: Platysmurus Reichenbach, 1850 =
Genus: Podoces J.G.Fischer, 1821 = Saxaul jays
Species: Podoces panderi = Saxaul jay
Genus: Pseudopodoces Zarudny et Loudon, 1902 = Pseudopodoces
Genus: Psilorhinus = Brown jays
Genus: Pyrrhocorax Tunstall, 1771 = Chough
Species: Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax = Chough
and other kinds
Brief description of the family
Ravens vary greatly in size(their representatives in our fauna have a wing 100 mm long, a metatarsus 25 mm long), diverse in appearance, widespread birds. They inhabit a wide variety of landscapes (tundra, steppes, deserts, mountains, human settlements), but most species are confined to forest habitats. Family widespread almost everything to the globe, except Antarctica, some Arctic regions, southern South America, central Australia and parts of the oceanic islands; acclimatized in New Zealand (subfossil remains of ravens were found here). They live in various habitats - on sea coasts, in forests, mountains, near human settlements and in deserts.
Usually large-headed, large-billed, densely built birds. The beak is strong, rather long, straight or slightly curved, often with a convex ridge of the beak. The nostrils are covered with thick bristle-like feathers (with the exception of adult rooks). Legs are strong. The metatarsus in front is covered with large and well-separated shields or a continuous plate; the back of the metatarsus is covered with a continuous plate. The number of tail feathers is twelve. There are 10 primary flight feathers. The wing in many species is short and wide, in some it is elongated, with a pointed apex. The tail varies in length, straight or stepped, with 12 tails. The plumage is dense, in some species it is loose. Coloring black, black and white, gray, brownish, sometimes with patches blue color. Metallic reflection is often well developed. Age and sex differences among ravens are insignificant. Males are larger than females. Young ones in duller feathers.
Shedding in ravens it occurs once a year, in our forms - at the end of summer or autumn (however, in jackdaws and jays earlier, in mid-summer). In crows, molting extends over a long period. The young replace the small feathers in the first autumn of their lives, soon after leaving the nest; the nest feather is loose and duller in color.
Laying eggs - usually in early spring. Large species (crows) in the north lay eggs even when the snow has not melted; The taiga-specific juks and nutcrackers also nest early. Crows nest in March - April, and in some places even in February; jays somewhat later, until May; desert jays, found in central Asia, in February - March. nesting single pairs, some species in groups or true colonies. In some species, pairs remain for a long time, sometimes until the death of one of the partners. Nests are in trees, in bushes, reed thickets, on rocks, in cracks and gullies in cliffs, in hollows, in buildings. Nest massive, made of branches, with soft lining; Some species have nests with a roof and a side entrance. The number of eggs in a clutch in large species (ravens and crows) is 3-6, in jays 5-7, in magpies 6-8; in choughs and alpine jackdaws, as well as in desert jays, 4-5; in nutworts and jaybirds, which nest early, when the feeding conditions for hatching chicks are not very favorable, the number of eggs in the clutch is the smallest among our representatives of ravens: 3-4 eggs. The usual color of eggs is variegated, with a greenish or bluish background. Incubation 16-22 days. In some species, both partners alternately incubate; in others, the female incubates primarily, and the male feeds her, only occasionally replacing her on the nest. Both partners feed the chicks. Chicks They fly out 3-5 weeks after hatching. Outside the breeding season, they live in groups or flocks; few species live alone. Sedentary, nomadic, less often real migratory birds. The vast majority of species are omnivores: eat a wide variety of animal and plant foods, carrion, etc. Many large species behave like real predators, attacking relatively large animals. They feed in the crowns of trees and on the ground.
Ravens - cautious and active birds. Most forms are nomadic, some are sedentary, and a few are true migratory birds. However, even among the latter, wintering places lie relatively close to the nesting area. Nutcrackers are characterized by periodic mass evictions from the nesting area, coinciding with pine seed crop failures.
Ravens are one of the groups of birds with the highest and most complex level of higher nervous activity. Therefore, they adapt relatively easily to a variety of living conditions; in particular, many species have successfully colonized cultural landscapes. Voice- croaking, loud whistling cries, etc. Some species are capable of onomatopoeia, even to the point of imitating the human voice.
The largest species are energetic predators that destroy small ones.
