Belarus is a country with rich, untouched nature. Having been in this area, each person is simply amazed at the magnificence and diversity of the fauna.
Stork
What birds are known in Belarus? Description of birds begin with the main representative. This bird is a symbol for many Belarusians. It's about the stork. These proud birds of a rather large size prefer to nest near residential buildings. Very often, storks make their nests directly on the roofs of houses, on poles or on trees.
Both males and females of storks have large red beaks, long legs of the same color and wide wings with black plumage at the ends. The body of the storks is snow-white.
These birds of Belarus feed mainly on invertebrate animals, for example, worms. Also in their diet include toads, frogs, mice, grasshoppers and even vipers.
The storks have a rather loud voice, but they only give it when they meet the female. The sounds coming from the chicks are more similar to the meow of cats.
Black-throated loon
Another rare bird found in large bodies of water and swamps is the black-throated loon. In the warm season, the feathered can be recognized by the black plumage of the head, noticeable white stripes running on both sides of the neck, as well as by small snow-white spots located on the back of the bird. In winter, these birds of Belarus acquire a brownish-gray color, and color changes apply to both females and males.
The loons feed on invertebrates living in the water, as well as small fish.
Such birds of Belarus prefer to nest right near the water or on small islands. The voice of the loons is very diverse, but in most cases resembles female exclamations.
Grebes - unusual birds of Belarus: photo and description
There are four varieties of grebes in Belarus:
- Small. Named so because of its small size. A distinctive feature of these grebes is a small spot on the yellow beak. As food, birds use crustaceans, tadpoles, mollusks, and in some cases small fish. Small grebes make nests in almost any body of water, regardless of their size and location. You can recognize them by a voice that sounds smooth and resembles the repetition of the syllable "brie".
- Gray-cheeked. The bird was named so because in the warm season its cheeks are light gray in color. Compared to the small grebe, it is much larger in size. Birds feed on insects and larvae that live in water, as well as tadpoles and small fish. You can meet the nests of gray-cheeked grebes in any reservoirs in which there are reed or cattail thickets. The voice of these birds resembles a pig screech, but you can hear it only during the breeding season.
- Big one. This bird can be recognized by its white cheeks and the same neck, as well as by its black-red “whiskers” and black forelocks. Food for large grebes are frogs, tadpoles and insects living in the water. These birds have very interesting nests resembling platforms afloat. They twist them in stagnant bodies of water on which there are reed or cattail thickets. The voices of these toadstools are hoarse, and the sounds are similar to the syllable “ker”.
- Black-necked grebe differs from other birds of this species with its unusual eye color. They are her red with black and gold plumage.
These grebes eat small fish, tadpoles and other inhabitants of reservoirs.
They nest, like other grebes, in small reservoirs overgrown with reed or cattail. It is extremely rare to hear the voice of these birds - it resembles the syllable “bi”.
Cormorants
What other birds of Belarus are known? Also in this country live large cormorants, the distinguishing features of which are white spots on the sides and head. If you look closely at this bird, you can see a greenish tint on the plumage of the body of cormorants. As a meal, they prefer fish.
Cormorants nest on trees because they can fly in search of food up to several kilometers. Less commonly, large cormorants nest on small land islands located in water bodies.
If a person managed to hear the voice of this bird resembling a croak, then you can be sure that a cormorant nest is located not far from this place.
Other birds
Of course, to describe all the birds living in Belarus, you will have to spend a lot of time. Therefore, the above list is far from complete. In this country there are two varieties of swans (mute swan and screamer), which proudly swim along the surface of small rivers and lakes.
In the forest more often there is a cheglok, talis moth, falcon, peregrine falcon and several species of moons. All birds differ in color of plumage and voice.
Conclusion
Now the reader knows the most common birds of Belarus. The names of these birds we have listed. The article also gives a brief description of them.