Birds of Novosibirsk

We are still surrounded by wildlife, or animals, even in big cities. If wild animals, particularly larger ones, continue to attempt to avoid humans, then many birds have evolved to coexist peacefully with us. And these birds are numerous. Apart from the well-known pigeons, sparrows, and crows, numerous other bird species are frequently spotted on daily commutes to work.

I’m going to tell you about some birds that live in the city; you don’t even need to walk in a park to see them. You can find them anywhere. For them, the rowan trees and common poplars beside the road are sufficient.

Great tit

Possibly the most prevalent bird in our region. No bird is more common than pigeons. Year-round residents next to us are titmice. They can live under house roofs, but they can also make nests in bushes and tree branches. In general, titmice are fearless and extremely modest. Particularly in the fall, when they start to seek protection from the cold by literally climbing through vents, into attics, and into any opening in the walls.

It seems that many people mistake titmice for winter birds due to their increased impudence in the fall. Actually, they are still there in the summer, just less obvious.

Tits are almost entirely carnivorous. Insect larvae, seeds, and berries make up their primary diet. But they do not despise meat in the winter, particularly during heavy frosts. Even mice and other birds can be hunted by these adorable yellow lumps! Therefore, you can save siskins and redpolls by leaving fat for tits in the feeder.

European magpie

We are all familiar with this other bird that coexists with humans: the magpie. Magpies are incredibly shrewd and crafty birds. They build their nests among the branches and atop trees. However, this is just a portion of the disguise.

The key strategy is for each magpie pair to construct five to seven nests adjacent to one another. However, the magpie only resides in one; the others serve only as a decoy for scavengers.

Magpies spend most of their time on the ground, even though they nest high in the branches. They would rather jump elegantly on the lawn than soar through the air. This bird has done a great job adjusting to city life; I believe that everyone has witnessed magpies searching through trash cans for leftover food. Furthermore, they are not searching for a carrot salad there. These primarily granivorous birds are content to transport bits of meat and chicken bones. Although it is not its primary diet, magpies in the wild do not despise meat.

White Wagtail

The distinctive swaying of the rump, or tail, makes it simple to identify wagtails.

"The long tail helps the bird balance and make quick forward jumps when it’s hunting for insects." It’s unclear, though, why it sways it so comically when it’s motionless.

It probably also uses its long, thin legs for balance. This bird is also known as an "ice breaker." When there is still ice on puddles and ponds in the early spring, they soar to us. And the birds are running along the ice’s edge, back and forth. Obviously, they don’t break it; they simply lack the strength. There, they gather aquatic insects that were frozen into the ice in the fall and are now thawing out.

Bullfinch

Bullfinches are a bird that everyone has probably seen because of their eye-catching bright red plumage. The "bullfinch," however, is a lighter brown bird that can be far harder to spot. It is believed that bullfinches are exclusively winter birds. They can actually stay quite near to us, with the exception of the forest, where they will fly away from people a bit more. However, they have the ability to travel far north in quest of berries.

Why are they only visible in the winter? Due to its dislike of humans, the bullfinch only ventures into cities during the bitterest months of the year.

Near human habitation, the temperature is always warmer. Additionally, we plant lots of their beloved rowan trees.

Waxer

Waxer is another wintertime bird. In December, as they migrate south, bright birds with colorful tails and crests fly to us. In February or March, they migrate back north. They consume apple and rowan trees in their massive flocks, and their distinctive whistle is audible from a great distance. If berries are plentiful, waxwings may remain with us through the summer. The berries that waxwings eat start to ferment in the springtime thaw, which makes the birds practically inebriated. They start by setting up inebriated brawls and can even pass out in a snowdrift.

"A lying waxwing is probably intoxicated if you witness it. To ensure that no one steps on it, it is sufficient to move it away from the pathways. It will calm down and take off.

Common starling

This bird is a spring bird already. Since we were young, everyone has known that starlings will visit our birdhouses in the spring. But not everyone has had a close-up look at them. Additionally, the bird’s black plumage has incredibly lovely shiny stripes. The birds seem to be rainbows in the springtime sun! Starlings are well-known predators of pests.

Up to 7 kg of insects are consumed annually by a single pair of starlings.

This is the time to observe them extracting larvae from the earth. Ever listen to starlings sing? Not likely. due to the fact that they hardly ever sing. However, they mimic human voices, the sounds of other birds, and even the sound of car alarms.

Fieldfare

Another bird that can be seen in the city – on the lawn, in the branches of roadside trees, and in the spring on the first thawed heating mains. Despite their rather bright, variegated plumage, thrushes are excellent at camouflaging themselves as old foliage. You can hear them rustling, you look for them with your eyes, but you don’t see them. Then they literally fly up from under your feet.
Thrushes can live with us all year round, they winter well, feeding on the same rowan berries and apples. But most birds still fly away to where it is warmer, and return to us in March, when they gather in huge flocks and eat all the rowan berries that they didn’t eat during the winter.
Thrushes nest from the very beginning of April. They can build their nests not very high, on bushes. But they protect them very well.

A thrush has the ability to assault an aggressor or someone it perceives as an aggressor. Plunge down upon him, and if it does not flee the area, then showered the predator with feces.

Therefore, it is preferable to observe the thrushes from a distance if you wish to do so.

Black Kite

Gorgeous predatory birds circling above Novosibirsk. If these birds are fierce hunters in the wild, they have adapted perfectly to pillaging waste sites in cities, even though they still enjoy hunting pigeons. Kites make great fishers as well. During the summer, you can witness them snatching fairly large fish out of the water from the beach. Usually arriving in March, kites are some of the first to reach us. Huge families get together. These birds prefer to nest next to their relatives even though they do not typically form flocks.

In addition to guarding their nest, female kites also look out for any nearby chicks.

These birds have a strong social bond. When someone finds a large prey (and they don’t despise carrion either), they cry out to their family.

Numerous bird species can be found in Novosibirsk, which makes it an excellent destination for families to explore the outdoors and discover the local fauna. Every season offers a new chance to see and appreciate these avian friends, from common urban birds to those found in surrounding forests and rivers. Both kids and adults can establish a stronger connection with nature, encourage curiosity, and gain a greater understanding of their surroundings by learning about Novosibirsk’s birdlife.

Instructive

Video on the topic

Bank of the Ob River in the spring May. Novosibirsk suburb. Birds singing. Chaffinch, wagtail, warbler, sparrows.

Chiffchaff sings in spring. Birds of Siberia. Novosibirsk suburb.

Fight in the sky. A crow chases a kite. Birds of prey. Novosibirsk. Wildlife. Birds of Siberia.

Novosibirsk suburb. Nature, forest lake birds. Novosibirsk region. Russia Novosibirsk nature.

Kite. Kites sit on a tree. Birds of Siberia. Novosibirsk suburb. Birds of prey.

Birds in the Dendrological Park. Novosibirsk.

Invasion of forest birds Novosibirsk. Thrush, waxwing.