The content of the article
Blue-tailed - a small bird of the family Passeriformes, in size - no more than an ordinary sparrow. Body weight reaches - 18-20 g, with a length of 150 mm. The blue-tailed beak is also quite small and slightly upturned. In its physique, as well as its characteristic behavior, this songbird is more similar to such a species of birds as a zaryanka. Moves on the ground in leaps, mainly held in thickets of trees and dense shrubs.
As a rule, this species of birds flies to the place of wintering with the advent of the first cold weather (end of September, October). The main food of the species: small invertebrates, insects, seeds and berries.
View description
This bird species is distinguished by its modest size and rather bright plumage (the predominance of blue). Sexual dimorphism in representatives of this species of birds is pronounced - the feather cover of the male is significantly different from the color of the plumage of the female.
The characteristic bluish-blue color of the feather cover is present not only on the tail, but also on the head and back of the bird. Above the eyes are bright arches of blue color, which stretch to the occipital part.
The chest of the bird is light, the lower part of the body is blue and white. The main difference of this species of birds are the sides of a yellowish color. The color of the feather cover of the blue-tailed females is more dull, the top is more brown, the rings around the bird’s eyes are white.
Young individuals have a feather outfit more similar to that worn by females; the bright color of males appears only after puberty.
Power Features
The bluetail is able to catch many flying insects while in the air, which is caused by its agility and nimbleness. With the approach of cold weather, when insects become smaller, bluetail are fed with various berries and seeds of plants.
The voice of the bird
The bird sings not loudly, the songs are unhurried, they consist of repeatedly repeated whistling trills. The most active bluetail are singing at dusk, as well as on warm bright nights. As a rule, males during their chants sit in the crown of trees, hiding from prying eyes. If the bird is anxious, the whistle becomes more rhythmic and intermittent, resembling the sounds made by a redstart or bluethroat.
Distribution and lifestyle
The most common population of this species of birds in the northern part of Europe, the main place of wintering is southeast Asia.
The bird flies to the nesting site in late spring, the most preferred area for this species is taiga, mixed forests, wetlands, plains.
The bluetail, especially the females are good masters of disguise, this is due to the fact that the plumage of these birds merges with the surrounding area.
Propagation Features
Bluetail prefers a solitary lifestyle more, if couples are created, then only for the mating period and for breeding future offspring. In one season, the females of these birds make two egg laying.
Young individuals of the bluetail grow very quickly, and after a short period of time they become winged. This is due to the fact that nature itself provides that in one season a pair of birds should produce two broods of chicks.
Interesting fact
Such a species of migratory songbirds, like the blue-tailed, striking with its bright plumage, is one of the few species of birds that sing their quiet but melodic trills, day and night.
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