Representatives of the Sparrow family are well known for their affection for humans. Such organisms are also called synanthropes. In our article you will get acquainted with typical representatives, the peculiarities of their organization and life.
Sparrow family: characteristic features
The birds of this systematic unit are small and medium in size. Their maximum weight reaches 40 g, and their length is up to 18 cm. Sparrows are easily recognizable by their dense rounded body and short legs. With their help, they jump on the ground.
The shape of the beak of the Vorobyin family is determined by the nature of their food. And these birds prefer seeds. Since sometimes they have to be extracted from solid fruits, then the passerine beak is quite powerful, has a conical shape.
A characteristic feature of the family is also the plumage of the lower leg and the presence of large plates on it. At the same time, the bird's foregut is devoid of cover. Sparrows have four fingers that end with sharp and curved claws. Three of them are directed forward, and one is opposed to them. The sharp tail of the Sparrow consists of 12 tail feathers.
Habitat
The Vorobyins family, photos and names of which are presented in our article, live almost everywhere. They are found in all climatic zones, except the Arctic. They can live in thickets of shrubs, on trees, land, rocks.
Sparrows belong to the group of nesting birds. This means that their chicks hatch helpless. They are blind and deaf, completely or partially devoid of plumage. Therefore, the arrangement of nests in which the chicks spend a long time plays a special role in the life of this family. It begins in early spring. Sparrows nest mainly on trees, and both the female and the male participate in this process. And in April, the first offspring was born.
Birds hatch eggs for about two weeks. After hatching, the passerines still spend in the nests for up to 17 days. During this period, they manage to get strong enough for an independent life.
Etymology
Of course, you recognized the brightest representative of the Vorobyin family in the photo. And the name in Russia of this bird for a long time was interpreted incorrectly. Allegedly, a sparrow comes from the phrase "thief beat." In fact, in many languages of the world it has the same root. Sparrow got its name thanks to the characteristic sounds that it makes - cooing.
Diversity
The Sparrow family includes about 30 species. Systematics combine them into several genera:
- Short-toed - live in the mountains and rocks, where they equip their open nests in the shape of a bowl. Lead a separate lifestyle. In search of food, they move across the earth in dashes.
- Real - mostly represented by species whose life activity is associated with humans. Nests are built on branches, various structures, in hollows. The male is distinguished by a dark spot on the throat, which in females is painted in nondescript gray tones.
- Stone - nest in crevices of rocks and rocky steppes. A characteristic feature is the presence of a white strip along the edge of the tail.
- Earthy - prefer to nest in small colonies of several tens of pairs. Their nest is a ball of twigs, fluff, feathers and grass with a side entrance.
- Snow reels are sedentary alpine birds. The habitat determines the light color of the integument and the dense plumage that protects from the cold. The body is elongated with pointed wings.
Interesting facts found scientists about sparrows. Just imagine, their number on the planet is already approaching a billion. Among birds, long-livers aged 10-11 years are known. They are so active and mobile that during the flight their heart beats a thousand times a minute.