Raven - description, habitat, interesting facts

Ravens belong to the family of corvids and the order of passerines. These birds are famous for their temperament. If you believe the opinion of linguists, then this name is consonant with the words "enemy", "vorog", "sparrow." These birds prefer to live in warm climatic regions, so their distribution affects Asian and African countries. Today we will consider all the features that affect the birds of the represented family.

Habitat

1. These birds are common in many parts of our planet, but most of them are in Asia, Europe, the United States of America and North Africa. As for the habitat, things are also mixed here. Birds can settle in the mountains and feel great surrounded by shrubs. But they also live in desert meadows, urban areas and forest strip.
2. Individuals are found in their range at different times of the year. However, in some regional parts, it was found that individuals from these areas migrate. For example, birds, common in Turkmenistan and the Caucasus, prefer to lead a migratory lifestyle. They do not settle in one place, but wander from one area to another.
3. In winter, crows are found near human settlements, because in these parts they have a greater likelihood that food will be found. Ravens are attracted to landfills where you can dig into the mountain of garbage and find something tasty for yourself.

Lifestyle

1. These birds are endowed with great intelligence. They are amenable to education, therefore, many people keep them at home. Raven easily learns, can remember a team and understand the intonation of a person. However, with all this, people who want to get such a pet need to prepare for difficulties. These individuals show anger and aggression, can avenge offense and be jealous of other animals. The bird is attached to the owner, remaining faithful to him for life.
2. But as for communication with the younger generation, for the child this breed group is fraught with danger. You should be more careful not leaving children with a bird alone. Crows prefer to destroy everything in their path, wielding powerful claws and a strong beak. They spoil furniture and other home furnishings. For example, they like to destroy equipment or paintings, strip off wallpapers and tear things.
3. These birds repel many with their unpleasant odor emanating from plumage and skin. Therefore, special attention during maintenance is given to washing and hygiene. Nevertheless, in spite of this, there are some advantages of such birds living in the house. They are smart, curious, interesting, can learn to talk, remain faithful to man.
4. As for life expectancy, in the wild habitat this period is limited to 15 years. But there have been recorded cases in which birds survived to 40–55 years. If, when keeping the house, birds are properly cared for, they will live long. If you follow the legend, then some individuals are able to exist for 100 years. But this is more a myth, not the truth.
5. These individuals lead a monogamous lifestyle, choosing a companion for themselves forever. They remain faithful to the partner, will be saddened and sad if, by a tragic coincidence, they lose their second half. Birds become sexually mature when they grow up to 2 years. But at each specific representative of the group, puberty may occur earlier or, conversely, later.
6. Both parents are responsible for the construction of a home for future offspring. To this end, birds fly around for a long time, looking for a suitable spot on a powerful and tall tree. When they find him, they begin to prepare the nest and protect it.The material for housing are branches, knots, grass, clay with mud.
7. Breeding originates at the end of winter, but the female gives eggs at the beginning of spring. Usually 4-6 babies are born with an interval of a couple of days. The eggs are very beautiful, gray with a blue tint. Dots of brown color flaunt against this background. Hatching is carried out not only by the female, but also by the father of the family, and takes the whole process 3 weeks. In a year, a pair of ravens will make 1 clutch, however, under extreme circumstances in the form of a destroyed nest, a female can give offspring a second time.
8. When the chicks are born, they are fed by both parents. They alternately go in search of food, because young animals are very voracious. When the offspring is 1.5-2 months old, they already lead a more independent way of life. They can leave the house for personal needs, periodically returning under the parental wing. When the cold is approaching, the offspring are already fully prepared to live separately.

Description

1. Individuals of the presented family are the largest among the similar ones. By the length of the case they reach 55 cm or more. Females are slightly smaller, representatives of male gender are more massive. As for the mass of the case, indicators vary within 0.7-0.8 kg. (males) and 0.45-0.5 kg. (females). According to the wingspan of the female - 87 cm, males - 100 cm. Approximately. The wings are sharp, powerful, thanks to which the bird successfully hunts.
2. According to its external data, the raven is similar to a rook. But in the first individuals, the body is more downed, massive and strong. The tail is in the shape of a wedge, tail feathers are long. The beak is pointed, strong, cone-shaped. Some species have a bend in this area. There are 4 fingers on long black legs, one of them is facing back.
3. Many ravens are painted black or gray. The plumage is dense, in sunlight shimmers with purple, silver, greenish or purple. In the main part, the feathers are grayish, can be whitish.
4. The voice of the birds represented by the breeding group is rough. Everyone knows the guttural laughter of these individuals. They speak loudly, rudely, with some irony. During the mating season, you can even hear a kind of swearing or threats from a flock of birds.

Nutrition

1. The considered individuals mainly try to adhere to a solitary lifestyle. Crows are active hunters. When looking for food, birds stray in flocks and go hunting. In addition, individuals try to arrange a large common feast. It is worth noting that the birds in question are scavengers.
2. Therefore, crows can accompany other predators for a long time, until they get a tidbit. Often such birds adhere to foxes and lynxes. Ultimately, the crows eat up the remnants of uneaten food. Such birds feed on absolutely everything that can be edible.
3. In addition, crows often regale themselves with butterflies, flies, worms, eggs of other birds, bugs, chicks, frogs, lizards, fish, squirrels and other small rodents. Even all kinds of food waste, the considered individuals are perceived as goodies. Often, the accumulation of such birds can often be observed in urban landfills. Crows also eat vegetables, plant seeds, and fruits.

Breeding

1. These birds reach puberty at the age of more than 2 years. It is worth noting that such individuals are monogamous. Therefore, during the mating season, a couple is formed, which remains faithful to each other until the end of life. During mating games, individuals are interesting to watch.
2. Male and female begin to make various turns in the air. They tumble in flight and chase each other. Individuals begin to breed, as a rule, at the beginning or in the middle of spring. Often, crows begin to twist their nests in squares and parks.
3. The female carries out laying between strong branches of trees.Also, nests are often found on poles of power lines. People found masonry behind gutters and on the structures of cranes.
4. Among other things, there are species of birds that mainly live on semi-desert and steppe landscapes. In this case, individuals try to build dwellings on cliffs and in crevices of rocks. Often both birds build nests. Crows painstakingly build a house of twigs and twigs.
5. The result is a nest whose diameter does not exceed 0.6 m. As for the height of the structure, it can be no higher than 35 cm. Clay, turf and even pieces of wire are used as material for fastening building waste. Be sure the bottom of the house is lined with its own down, grass, feathers, cotton wool and often rags.
6. The number of eggs in a clutch directly depends on the type of individuals. Often, the female can bring up to 8 eggs of bluish or green color. In this case, dark inclusions can be observed. When the female takes to the hatch, she does not leave the nest for 3 weeks. At this time, the male intently guards the family and supplies the companion with food.
7. Approximately on day 25 young animals hatch into the world. It is worth noting that the chicks are born naked, without plumage. At this time, both parents begin to constantly bring food. Plumage in young animals appears a month after hatching. If you suddenly see a chick accidentally falling out of the nest, it is not recommended to pick it up.
8. If your parents see you at this time, they will make a terrible noise. At the same time they stray into a large flock. Crows begin to aggressively protect the cub. At the same time, it does not matter to the birds whom to attack, they attack both the animal and the person. As soon as the beginning of summer comes, the young growth takes to the wing and begins to leave the nests.
9. It is worth noting that in the first month of independent life, the chicks still try to be with their parents. At this time, adults protect their offspring. Toward the middle of summer, young growth leaves the nest and begins a full-fledged independent life. The chicks do not forget their parents and often help them in breeding the next offspring. Last year's chicks feed their little brothers and sisters.

Interesting Facts

1. Crows are happy with smart individuals. Moreover, savvy can be manifested in the extraction of food. Such birds can throw a nut on the roadway, so that the car crushed the shell. After that, they begin to eat.
2. The considered individuals will not eat stale bread, they pre-soak it in a puddle.
3. Such birds do not like to be bored, therefore, when the opportunity arises, they will always be entertained. Often crows in wintertime ride from ice slides and roofs. They also tease dogs and cats.

In today's article, we have studied everything that affects interesting and grouchy ravens. They are famous for their intellectual abilities, so in many cases they live with people as pets. The presented family has many features, they are unique and funny.

Video: Raven (Corvus corax)