Birds are amazing and interesting creatures, striking in their beauty and abilities. They excite the consciousness of man since the days of Aristotle and are sung in the poems of the poets of ancient Greece.
From time immemorial, many have been worried about the following questions: “Why and what birds fly south? How do they find their way to the warm edges? How will they learn about the time of flight?”
We will try to find out in this article about why and when cranes fly south, one of the most beautiful birds in the world.
According to the well-known folk calendar, September 13 is a crane veche or Kupriyanov’s day. Cranes leave their homes on this day.
What birds fly to wintering places?
What birds fly to warmer climes?
According to statistical data, more than 50 thousand species of birds inhabit such territory on the territory of Russia annually. During the hibernation, when the number of insects is reduced to zero, the birds gather in those regions where such food can be consumed all year round. Thrushes, swallows, finches, rooks, dumplings and jackdaws fly there. Lapwing, wagtail, robin and oriole also fly away.
And all the cranes fly away to the south with a caravan. Usually they eat seeds and herbs, and in order to always have this food, they also have to go on difficult and long flights to countries with a warm climate.
The science of birds (ornithology) is very interesting, but not fully understood. Scientists sometimes speculate and draw conclusions simply on their personal observations and assumptions. This is an amazing unique natural phenomenon, in which there is still a lot of mysterious and unexplored.
When do cranes fly south?
As a rule, during the summer period, all the chicks already fly well. During the warm season, birds manage to get stronger and gain the necessary weight.
In September, the very time comes when they are preparing for long flights. There is even a proverb in Russian corresponding to this event: "September collects birds on the road."
Before the autumn flight, cranes gather in flocks in certain places. Then, running up, with loud screams, soar into the endless blue sky. It is very difficult for them to get up from the spot; they make a long run up to several meters in length. It is amazing that their flight is made non-stop, in the daytime and at night.
When the cranes fly south, often in the sky you can see a surprisingly beautiful wedge shape. It should be noted that from year to year the birds adhere to one once chosen route. After reaching the place of wintering, the leader himself chooses the territory to stop, where the whole flock lands. Here they begin a new life before the next departure to their native lands.
Where do cranes fly?
In autumn, cranes fly south. Where are the flocks going?
They winter in India, Iran, Iraq and Africa. Some Russian flocks stop for wintering in Transcaucasia, in the territories between the northern part of the Talyshinskaya lowland and the middle part of the Kura River valley. Cranes on the shores of salt lakes and semi-desert territories have chosen here. Suitable for them is the local mild climate, a sufficient amount of food and water. And the population of people in these places is small.
Many birds fly to hot Africa, especially to the Nile Valley. The presence of such a large reservoir of Africa near Africa favors the safe living of birds in these places. Many flocks of cranes reach the Cape Province (South Africa). Cranes winter in India (one of the largest wintering places is the state of Rajhastan). Also in the northern part of the country with numerous lakes, birds find a cozy shelter. And the east of India (Oriss) welcomes them well. The southern states and the eastern parts of Iran with lakes and ponds are a favorite place for cranes. Many crane flocks reach the territories of Iraq off the coast of the Tigris River.
