Remez bird weighs no more than 7-11 grams and surpasses its overseas sister hummingbird in its features. For example, to equip a nest, a Russian bird is content with one flexible branch, and hummingbirds require fairly thick rods on a tree. Why is the Russian "inch" not as popular as the others?
According to scientists, this contributes to its fairly modest coloring and inconspicuous behavior. After all, the word "remez" in translation from German means "reed tit", from Latin - "hanging", "hangs". That is, you can guess that most of the time the bird lives in reed thickets and other bushes and trees growing near water bodies. She with the enviable skill of an acrobat is able to hang on the thin rods of vegetation, clinging to them with only one foot.
Nutrition and Reproduction
Remez bird finds most of the food in the reeds and tree bark in the form of small beetles, berries and plant seeds. Insects and larvae perfectly complement the daily diet of poultry.
Reed tit recognized as polygamous. However, there are also individuals who are able to live with one partner. The female lays 5-8 eggs and hatches the chicks for two weeks. They are born naked and helpless.
For 30 days, remez chicks are in a protected nest, and parents feed them, bringing small insects in their beaks. After about a month, the chicks become independent and are ready to leave their parental home.
Common Remez
With anyone they compare the feathered "inch" living in Russian territory! It is often called the "marsh tit", and there is no mistake. After all, the Remez bird is the closest relative of this sonorous-voiced singer!
But nevertheless, it should be recognized that the Remezov family is a separate species and it is seen not only in Russia. Little birds have long been chosen by the eastern zones of Japan, China and the temperate climatic zone of Central Europe. Common Remez is somewhat larger than other subspecies. The length of his body reaches 12 cm, and the weight can reach up to 19 g (in males).
Can we say about these birds that they are songbirds of Russia? Their subtle whistle can hardly be compared with the nightingale trill. However, the “King of Singing” has a more modest color than the Remez. The bird, the description of which we consider in this article, pleases the eye with the color of its back. Most often it is a muted brown color. The head of the remez has, as a rule, a gray tint and a black mask around the eyes. Scientists note that this feathered is a magnificent nest builder.
The bird hangs it on the end of a thin, but strong branch. It brings grass stems in its beak, weaves an elegant frame from them and fills it with poplar fluff and inflorescences. The result is a unique rocking jack!
Magic house
It is often used for esoteric and medicinal purposes. According to ancient beliefs, if you take fluff (straw) from the remez nest and put it in the chicken coop, the poultry will regularly lay eggs. And advanced magicians use the remez nest in various rites. So, for the reconciliation of the spouses, the "house" is hung on a stick and they hit a quarreling couple.
If a woman is expected to have a difficult birth, then she is fumigated with a nest, which is previously spoken of for a successful outcome. In Russia, there are cases when babies who are late to take their first steps were taken to water bodies to find a haven for remez. It was customary for children to keep birds with a special plot above the nest so that they would quickly and confidently go.
Songbirds of Russia
If we talk about singing talents, then, of course, primacy here can be given to the nightingale, blackbird, oriole, finch, king. And an ordinary remez, as we have already found out, is more famous for its building gift. But one should not forget about other subspecies of this family.
For example, oatmeal-remez. She has a rather pleasant singing - slightly intermittent and filled with different keys. The birds are usually located on the side branches and begin their chanting. However, when the Remez bunting is very worried, it can make harsh sounds that look like an unpleasant “chatter”.
Scientists advise lovers of bird singing to enjoy the gentle trill of this bird in nature, rather than keeping it in captivity. Remez bunting is difficult to tame and may even die, having lost its freedom. But if there is a great desire to keep a songwriter at home, then choose a spacious cage for her in the sunny area of the room. Remez Bunting is more an insectivorous bird than a granivorous. If this is not taken into account, then the singer will cease to please the owner with her delightful trill over time.