nature

White-headed birds of prey: species, habitat, food and breeding

White-headed birds of prey: species, habitat, food and breeding
White-headed birds of prey: species, habitat, food and breeding

Video: How Nature Works: Gull Territoriality 2024, May

Video: How Nature Works: Gull Territoriality 2024, May
Anonim

White-headed birds of prey are found throughout the planet. They evoke a sense of admiration in every person, even if he actually knows nothing about the animal world. It is impossible to look at the gracefully soaring predator and not be enthusiastic about its free and slightly frightening appearance.

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The most common birds of prey with a white head are found in the falcon family. As an example, we can consider gyrfalcons. These birds are quite large ravens whose color is almost completely white. The body itself and the wings can be covered with dark spots. As for the head, it is always white. The chicks of these representatives of feathered predators have brown hues, and the older an individual becomes, the brighter its color. This is due to the fact that over the years the bird has to hunt on its own, and only the white color will allow it to get food in the northern latitudes - the main habitat. They do not nest in their homes; other people's dwellings are used to breed offspring. In the clutch there are usually 2-3 eggs, with rare exceptions. These birds of prey with a white head rarely leave their native places, since they feel quite normal in the conditions of the frosty North. Moreover, in warm places their survival will be impossible.

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Other birds of prey with a white head are owls. However, not every representative of these nocturnal hunters has this color, it is inherent only to polar individuals. Like falcons, owl chicks are much darker than adults, but the plumage subsequently brightens. These birds live in the tundra and steppes, but sometimes hunger drives them into the forests. Their distinguishing feature is that they will never hunt near their nest. Other smaller birds use this feature - having settled next to an owl, they provide themselves with a guarantee of safety, because few people will slip into the territory of a serious predator. Hunting takes place in an active form; waiting or disguising are not owl methods of solving the hunger question.

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The most famous bird of prey with a white head is a bald eagle. His body and wings are dark in color. That is why the white head is his hallmark, because of this he got his name. These birds are distinguished from eagles by their bald paws; their plumage is absent almost completely. However, this does not make these predators less dangerous. In principle, eagles can live everywhere, the main thing is that there should be some kind of pond nearby, since the basis of food is fish, frogs or even ducks. They can breed well in captivity if they are provided with a spacious enclosure. Eagles build their nests on tall trees or in rocks, and they cannot be called small. There are even houses that reach four meters in diameter. It is worth noting that something serious must happen in order for the eagle to leave its nest, most often it is used by him constantly.

All breeds of birds of prey are endowed with a color that helps them successfully hunt or disguise themselves in the place where they live. Therefore, white-headed representatives can be found in other families, if necessary for survival.