Gaga is a bird that lives on the very edge of eternal ice. Unlike her feathered relatives, she loves the coolness of winter more than the warm summer days. Scientists for a long time could not understand why this happened. But, having studied it better, they finally saw the whole picture as a whole, which allowed to reveal all the secrets of this amazing bird.
So let's get to know her better. We learn that there is something unusual in the bird eider, and why it loves the deserted shores of the Arctic so much. And we will tell you exactly how she fights the fierce cold and at the same time manages to survive.
Gaga - a bird living on the edge of the ice
It should be noted that the eider bird is a representative of one of the species of winter ducks. The love of the snowy expanses of these birds in their blood, because their ancestors learned to survive in harsh conditions even in those days when a person was just beginning to develop the first lands.
Its range extends to almost all northern territories bordering the sea or ocean. So, this bird can be found off the snowy coast of Scandinavia, Greenland, Novaya Zemlya, North America, as well as in some regions of the Russian Federation. In addition, representatives of this species have long settled on numerous skeletons scattered throughout the Atlantic Ocean.
Gaga is a bird that can survive in the most severe conditions. For a comfortable life, she does not need fields rich in food or meadows covered with lush grass. She prefers deserted rocks and salty waters of the seas.
What does the eider bird look like?
For a long time, the appearance of this bird drove many researchers into a stupor. The reason for this is the serious external differences that exist between males and females of this species of ducks. However, with the development of the level of biology, scientists realized that this is not strange. Indeed, in many birds, males have a brighter color, the main purpose of which is to attract the attention of a partner.
As for the males of the eider, white and black color dominates on their body. In this case, all the dark shades are on the abdomen, wings and the crown of the duck. But the upper part and neck are always covered with white feathers, creating a bright contrast. Sometimes the crown of a male can be green, especially at a young age. Also, in the light of the sun, black spots on the body of the eider begin to shimmer with a copper tint.
Compared to males, “ladies” are not so bright. Female (eider) - a bird with a dark brown color of feathers. She does not have large white or green spots, which makes her similar to the usual representatives of ducks. Only in some places the integrity of her color is broken by black and gray pigments, which, like ripples in the water, cover her body.
As for body weight, on average, indicators range from 2.2-2.5 kg. However, with good nutrition, the eider can grow up to 3 kilograms.
Bird life cycle
Gaga is a northern bird, and therefore, unlike other birds, always strives to stay in cool regions. And yet, with the advent of the October frosts, she leaves the extreme borders of the North and goes south. But the reason is not the cold itself, but the changes that it brings. Indeed, a month after the first frosts, the sea is covered with a thick layer of ice, because of which the eider can no longer hunt the usual prey.
But where, then, is the eider wintering? A bird (photos taken by scientists can confirm this) moves as close to the shores of the Pacific Ocean as possible. It is here, in her opinion, the best conditions for wintering.
However, there is one thing. In recent times, due to climate change, winters have become warmer. In this regard, ducks more and more often remain in place, refusing to fly somewhere.
How are gaga families arranged?
Gaga's love of cold can be traced throughout her life. Perhaps that is why they begin to flirt with each other just at the height of winter. Under the influence of hormones, the male begins to attract females, proudly nursing in front of them. And if some of them peck at it, then for a while they will become one happy family.
This alliance will continue after they return home. Here they together will arrange a nest for themselves, in which the female will lay up to 10 eggs. Immediately after this, she will begin to hatch them, which will take about four weeks. It is at this moment that the males fly back to the sea, leaving their beloved forever.
Unfortunately, some ducks have difficulty surviving the hatching period. After all, they can not go away from the nest for a long time, which is why they begin to starve. But as soon as the chicks hatch, it becomes much easier for mom. Already on the second day after birth, babies begin to eat on their own, and in two months they reach the same weight as adults.
The most dangerous period of life
However, it should be noted that not all babies manage to survive to adulthood. It so happened that even in such deserted lands there are those who gladly feast on them. In particular, the seagull is the main enemy of the chicks. This feathered beast will never miss its chance to attack a baby straying from the pack.
In addition to the seagull, black crows and owls attack small ducks, however, this does not happen so often. Among the four-legged enemies in the first place is the arctic fox. This furry animal strives to catch a lone duck or ambush a nest.
But, despite this, many gags do not die from the fangs of the Arctic fox or the claws of the ravens. The most fierce enemy of these birds are small parasites. Climbing under the warm fluff, they begin to multiply rapidly, literally eating a poor animal from the inside.
What does a duck eat?
As for the gaga itself, it is also a born hunter. The ocean is her hunting ground - this is where she earns her food. What is included in her diet?
A favorite delicacy of the northern duck are sea urchins and stars, as well as some crustaceans. For their sake, she is ready to dive to a depth of three meters, and if necessary, even more. If you didn’t get a treat, then you have to dispense with ordinary fish or wild berries that grow in the area.
It should be noted that this duck does not chew its food, but swallows immediately. After the abdomen is full enough, the eider finds a convenient pebble and lies on it for a long time, digesting the eaten.
People and birds
Gaga is a bird whose photo every Norwegian or Scandinavian recognizes. After all, here her feathers have long been used to create warm clothes and blankets. Even today it is difficult to find material that can compete with the eider down in thermal insulation properties.
But do not worry about the health of birds. After all, feathers are not taken from the birds themselves, but are collected along the coast where they live. Fortunately, there are many of them, especially if you look in the abandoned nests of the eider.