Before the onset of cold weather, some species of birds leave the Russian regions, flying to warmer regions. The most famous migratory birds in Russia are ducks, rooks, cranes, swans, starlings, swallows, blackbirds, larks, lapwings, finches, orioles, storks and herons.
What birds fly south?
According to statistics, more than 60 species of birds live on the territory of Russia, flying to wintering in warm regions. Seasonal migrations are the prerogative of all migratory birds, without exception. Relocations are made both for long and fairly short distances. To understand which species of birds are migratory, it is necessary to understand that their migrations depend on what they actually feed on. Most of all in nature are insectivorous birds. They are balanced by carnivorous and granivorous birds.
With the onset of cold weather, all the insects that many birds enjoy with pleasure disappear. In this regard, birds have to fly to where there is never snow, where the abundance of tasty insects does not end all year round. Such migratory birds include robins, blackbirds, finches, jackdaws, rooks and, of course, "spring messengers" - swallows.
Swallows feed on rather large insects, including dragonflies and May beetles. They catch them on the fly. They hibernate on the Mediterranean coast. It is curious that some of them even fly to hot Africa. Therefore, it is simply impossible to meet swallows in Russia in winter.
In winter, rivers and lakes freeze, which poses a great threat, for example, to carnivorous herons that feed on frogs and fish. They also have to leave their native lands. The "vegetarians" who eat grasses and seeds also suffer, since in winter all this is covered with a white sheet of snow. The thermophilic cranes are one of the most famous herbivorous migratory birds.
If you closely observe the cranes, you will notice that already in September they are preparing to leave. At this relatively early time for resettlement, they are already gathering in flocks. Cranes leave their native land until spring, saying goodbye to people with their beautiful guttural cry. For complete objectivity, it should be noted that not all types of cranes fly away. This is done only by those who are forced to nest and breed in the northern regions of Russia.
Who stays for the winter?
Only those birds that have managed to "find a common language" with humans remain to winter. They are called sedentary. The most famous of them are pigeons, sparrows, tits. The fact is that they have adapted to feed on waste found in landfills and in garbage cans. In addition, a person feeds them, resorting to the help of special feeders.
Bird's "compass"
Scientists have proven that migratory birds are perfectly oriented in the geography of their migrations. They can sense not only latitude, but also longitude, guided by the sun and stars. This is one of the versions of this bird phenomenon.
According to another version, migratory birds return to their permanent nesting sites, focusing on the Earth's magnetic field. A corresponding article was published in the journal Nature on this topic. In addition, it has been documented by ornithological scientists who ring migratory birds and then observe them in the same places for several years in a row.
However, despite this, there is still no consensus among ornithologists and researchers about the work of the so-called bird's "compass".
