Splyushka is an owl of small size, the body length of which is from 16 to 21 cm. The weight of this bird does not exceed 120 grams. Despite its small size, its wingspan is 50 cm. Its color is modest, most often gray-brown. Sometimes you can find individuals of a reddish color. Most owls have dark streaks and stripes, which helps them merge with the bark of trees. On their head are two rather large bundles of ear feathers, which, when frightened or otherwise excited, rise and resemble peculiar horns. Beak and claws are dark brown in color. Feet of the bird also have a feather coating (with the exception of the fingers).
As for the habitat, spylyushka is an owl, which prefers mixed, often sparse forests, fruit trees, standing separately in fields, and abandoned gardens. It can be found in the vineyards. This owl does not feel fear of a person, therefore, it often settles with him in close proximity, for example, in city parks. Spyushka in Russia, as a rule, is a migratory bird. Most often it can be seen in the southern territories of the country, starting from the western borders and to Lake Baikal. During the winter period, it can fly to tropical countries, for example, to Africa, to the territory located south of the Sahara desert.
Splyushka is a night owl. In the afternoon you will not meet her. After wintering, it arrives in the first days of March in the southern territories of Russia, and in mid-April it can already be found in the rest of the country. You can learn about her arrival on the first quiet night, when she begins to cast a mating voice, which is a monotonous leisurely cry of a male in different tones. In 1 minute the bird makes up to 20 signals, sounding like “sleep-sleep”. It is for this reason that this species got its name. In addition to the singing of males, you can hear the singing of a female whose voice is much rougher.
Due to the good-natured appearance that a spylyushka has an owl (see photo above), you will never think that this little bird is able to frighten its enemy if necessary. So, while protecting her nest with masonry or chicks, with an approaching foreign object, she clings with one paw to the nest from the bottom, while spreading her wings wide like a butterfly. At this time, her head is pressed against the back of her head, and her eyes become motionless. She holds the second paw ready to attack under the wing.
In terms of nutrition, the owl is a spy-cuddly unpretentious. Its prey is small animals, for example, lizards or frogs. In addition, large butterflies or beetles become her food. She spends her hunt in the thick twilight. For the chicks, the female also does not conduct any special selection in food. During the hatching period, the female is fed by the male, having previously notified the hunt with his whistle. Having caught prey, he transfers it from beak to beak, as if kissing a female. Among other foods, splyushka can eat grated carrots, cottage cheese, and buckwheat porridge.
By nature, a splyushka is a duplenezzy owl. It can occupy both natural niches and settle in hollows of woodpeckers. In the absence of a suitable place for housing, it can accommodate in a magpie nest. Splyuska lays its eggs somewhere 30 days after arrival. In most cases, the clutch consists of 4-5 eggs of white color, 6 eggs are very rare . The incubation period is a little more than 20 days. After the birth of the chicks, the male gets food for their feeding. Small sputus begin to emerge from the nest 20 days after their birth. Throughout this period, the family is friendly and inseparable, it breaks up only in August before the flight.