Ground nests

Ground nests require especially careful handling. They are usually found under the cover of ground vegetation, which can be quickly trampled, after which the nest becomes visible to predators and is soon destroyed.

Warblers

The nest is located among moss, grass or dry leaves, and has the shape of a ball or hut with a side entrance. The diameter of the socket is 90-120 millimeters. The tray is lined with feathers (willow warbler and chiffchaff) or dry blades of grass (ratchet). The clutch contains 5-6 very small eggs, 15-17 millimeters long. The shell is light with small brownish, lilac or reddish specks. Chicks at the “blind” age are covered with sparse light down on the head and shoulders. The color of the oral cavity is yellow. The grown chicks sit in a tight group, pressed to the bottom of the nest. If handled carelessly, they will pop out, making creaking sounds. Adult birds are much smaller than sparrows, greenish in color, with a light eyebrow. The legs are light, but the chiffchaff's legs are dark. They stay close, flying from branch to branch, constantly twitching their wings. An alarm signal is a plaintive “chuyu” (ratchet), a thin extended whistle “fuit” (willow warbler) or a hasty “fiti” (chiffchaff).

Forest Pipit

The nest is open, located under a bush or hummock. The tray is lined with dry blades of grass and hair. The diameter of the tray is 60-70 millimeters. There are 4-6 eggs in a clutch, the color of which varies greatly in different nests. The shell is light or brownish-violet with dark spots or small speckles, less often with dashes. The length of the eggs is 18-20 millimeters. The chicks are initially dressed in dark gray down, located on the head, back, shoulders, forearms, thighs, legs and sometimes on the underside of the body. The oral cavity is bright orange, the folds at the corners of the mouth are light yellow. Fledglings have large longitudinal streaks on the underside of their body. Adult birds at the nest are careful and do not fly close. These are small, smaller than a sparrow, slender birds. They move along the ground and tree branches, moving their legs alternately, while slightly shaking their tail. The signal of concern is a uniformly repeated clicking sound “tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk...” and sometimes a thin “sissisisi”.

Common oatmeal

In size and construction material it resembles the nest of the previous type, but is somewhat sloppy and more abundantly lined with hair. Usually located on the side of roads, ditches and holes. There are 4-6 eggs in a clutch, 20-22 millimeters long. The shell is pale pink or faint purple with dark spots, curls, lines and veins. The arrangement of downy pterilia on the chick's body is the same as in the previous species, but there is no down on the upper eyelid. The oral cavity is meat-red in color. Grown chicks have longitudinal dark streaks, yellowish below, brownish above. An adult bird, when restless, usually sits motionless on a branch, uttering a jerky “tsik-tri” or a prolonged, very high-pitched “tssii”. When very excited, it flutters above the observer's head. Sometimes it moves away from the nest, jumping, hunched over, on the ground to the side. It rarely adopts the pose of a wounded bird.

Garden bunting

The nest is usually located at the edge of a forest, shelterbelt, or near a separate clump of trees or bushes in an open landscape. Placed in a hole in the soil in a dry place among grass under the cover of large leaves or small bushes. The tray is 60-70 millimeters in diameter, shallow, lined with hair and thin roots. The outer walls of the suite are carelessly made of dry grass. There are 3-6 eggs in a clutch, their length is slightly less than 20 millimeters. The shell is light with rare black-brown and gray spots and dots, sometimes with curls and stripes. The embryonic down is thick, gray in color, located on the head, back, shoulders, forearms, thighs, legs and abdomen. The oral cavity is bright pink. Fledglings can jump out of the nest as early as the 8th day. At first they stay on the ground. Their plumage is brown with longitudinal dark streaks. Adult birds are the size of a sparrow and behave quite calmly near the nest: they sit in a conspicuous place, lazily calling out short calls “tew, vi, chi...”. With very strong arousal, distracting displays are typical.

Oatmeal-remez

The nest can be found at the border of the forest and swamp. Located in a hummock or at the base of an old stump, well hidden. Made from dry stems, the tray is lined with roots. The diameter of the tray is about 60 millimeters. There are 4-6 eggs in a clutch. The shell is dotted with large and small spots of grayish-brown color. The curls and threadlike pattern characteristic of bunting eggs are absent. The embryonic down is dark gray in color, located in the same way as in the chicks of other bunting species. The color of the oral cavity is pink. Adult birds are easily excited, jump nearby, constantly fly from place to place, take withdrawal poses, raising their wings upward, and often emit an alarm signal - a dry twittering “ts, ts, ts...”.

Nightingale

The nest is open, but well hidden under bushes, in grass, nettle thickets, etc. The outer walls are woven from dry leaves, the inner lining is from thin blades of grass. The edges of the nest are slightly raised above the ground. The diameter of the tray is about 70 millimeters. The clutch contains 4-6 evenly colored brownish-olive eggs 21-24 millimeters long. The chicks have dark down on their head, back and shoulders. The color of the oral cavity is yellow. The fledglings are brownish, long-legged, short-tailed, move in leaps, and at first stay on the ground, emitting a creaking signal. An adult bird, worried, hides in the grass or bushes, constantly giving an alarm signal - a short high whistle “fi” and then a short snore “krr”. The long reddish tail is in motion.

Robin

The nest is in a hole under a rotten stump, in the roots of trees or under a lying dry branch. In parks and forest-steppe oak groves it is often located in hollows. Made of moss and lined with dry grass, sometimes with hair. The tray is about 60 millimeters. There are 5-7 eggs in a clutch, 19-21 millimeters long. The shell is light, with a corolla of pinkish-brown spots at the blunt end. The chicks are initially dressed in dark, almost black down, located on the head, back and shoulders. The oral cavity is yellow. Adult birds stay cautiously near the nest and try not to be seen. Their presence can be easily determined by the alarm signal they constantly emit. This is a very thin, drawn-out whistle, followed by a metallic ringing crackling “tsktsktsktsktsk...”. The orange chest and neck are striking in the color of their plumage.

wood lark

Nest in a clearing in the middle of a forest, on the edge of a clearing or clearing, sometimes among young pines. The nesting hole is lined with dry blades of grass. There are 4-5 eggs in a clutch, about 20 millimeters long. The shell is grayish-white with rather rare reddish and grayish-brown spots, sometimes forming a corolla at the blunt end. The chicks are dressed in long, smoky, yellowish down, located on the head, back, shoulders, forearms, and sparsely on the belly. The oral cavity is yellow, there are three black spots on the tongue - two at the base and one at the apex. The fledglings are colorful. Parents, worried, emit a melodic trill, sit on the tops of young trees, and raise the feathers on their heads high. The shortened tail, variegated ocher coloring and light eyebrow are striking.

Gray Warbler

The nest can be found on a forest edge or clearing, but more often in a meadow among bushes. Located near the ground among the stems of grass, less often on bushes. The shape of the structure is hemispherical with a deep (40-50 millimeters) tray, abundantly lined with thin roots and hair. The diameter of the tray is 50-60 millimeters. Vegetable fluff is sometimes woven into the outer walls. A clutch of 4-6 eggs 18-20 millimeters long, covered with lilac-gray and yellowish-brown streaks and spots. The chicks hatch completely naked. Their oral cavity is yellow; at the base of the tongue there are two clearly visible, but not sharply defined dark spots. When restless, adult birds stay close, darting around in the bushes and emitting a crackling “chrrrr” call or a grumbling “wadewadewade...”. Sometimes, pretending to be sick, they take them away from the nest. They have a white throat and rufous wing coverts.

Blackbirds

Among the thrushes, the blackbird and white-browed thrush often locate their nests on the ground, at the base of trees, in ditches, and on the edge of overgrown holes. Their nests are easily recognized by their relatively large sizes (tray diameter 90-100 millimeters) and well-designed thick walls. Much more often, however, the nests of these thrushes are located at the bottom of tree trunks or in bushes, which I will discuss later.

Nightjar

There is no nest building. Two fairly large marbled eggs, about 35 millimeters long, lie side by side right on the forest floor, most often in a pine forest. The chicks are fluffy, protectively colored, sitting motionless, huddled together. Large eyes close with slits at the sight of people, sometimes they yawn, opening their huge mouth. Their parents warm and feed them until they learn to fly. The incubating bird, noticing the danger, squints its eyes. It takes off from right under your feet, moves away from the nest, pretending to be wounded, or hangs in the air above the observer’s head, silently flapping its wings and emitting a restless clucking sound. The size of a cuckoo. The color of the plumage is gray with longitudinal streaks. In males, white spots on the wings and tail are striking in flight.

Grouse

The nest is located in heavily cluttered areas of the forest. It looks like a small hole, sparsely lined with blades of grass, leaves, and individual feathers. The clutch contains 6-10 fairly large (about 40 millimeters long) eggs with a shiny light brown shell, on which rare reddish-brown small spots are scattered. Sometimes the spots are barely noticeable. The female flies from the nest or from the chicks with noise, first pretends to be wounded, then begins to fly from tree to tree, emitting an alarm signal - a quiet and fast “tktktktktktk...”. The chicks are downy, but with well-developed flight feathers. At one week of age they are able to take off from the ground and land on tree branches. Downy chicks have a black frenulum, a tan back and light yellow underparts. They cleverly hide in the grass and it is better not to look for them, so as not to be crushed. They differ from the chicks of other grouse in having little hair on their legs: the toes and the lower part of the tarsus are not feathered.

Grouse

The nest is in the form of a depression in the soil, lined with a small amount of dry blades of grass and feathers. Located in a forest, but next to a clearing, a burnt area, a moss swamp or a field, not far from a berry patch. The clutch contains 6-12 eggs, smaller in size than chicken eggs (about 50 millimeters long) and coloring reminiscent of the eggs of the previous type. The female flies from the nest noisily and very unexpectedly, from right under her feet. It takes off from the chicks with a clucking sound, sometimes pretending to be sick. Downy chicks are yellow with brownish-red spots on the head and back, with developed flight feathers. The legs are feathered down to the toes.

Capercaillie

The nest is a depression in the soil, sparsely lined with blades of grass and feathers. It is located near a swampy forest on a dry ridge, near an overgrown clearing or burnt area, often in places where pine trees have been tapped. The clutch contains 6-9 eggs, similar in size to chicken eggs (length about 60 millimeters). The shell is ocher in color with rare reddish-brown spots and dots. The female is the size of a chicken, takes off noisily and very unexpectedly, and sometimes clucks loudly. It can take off, running away from the nest. Downy chicks are yellowish in color. The legs are feathered down to the toes. They differ from black grouse chicks by the yellow rather than red coloration of the crown.

Teal-whistle

The nest is hidden, as a rule, in a mixed forest 25-500 meters from the nearest body of water, often near streams and ditches, under the crown of a tree, juniper bush, etc. The hole is lined with a small number of dry blades of grass and surrounded by a thick ridge of dark fluff, which the bird plucks from itself. The diameter of the nest is approximately 20 centimeters. The clutch consists of 8-10 eggs, the length of which is about 45 millimeters. The shell is light with a yellowish tint. Downy chicks sit in the nest for no longer than a day, then the bird takes them to water. The downy feathers are brown with a dark top of the head and yellowish underneath. There is a dark stripe across the eye. A female disturbed at the nest flies off very quickly, sometimes immediately sits on the ground, struggles in place, trying to attract attention, then flies away, sometimes quacks in alarm. Half the size of a domestic duck.

Mallard

Nest in the forest, less often in thickets of bushes in damp meadows or near so-called windows in moss swamps, very rarely on a tree in old nests of corvids or in a hollow. Hidden under a bush, tree or dead wood. The hole is lined with dry blades of grass and lined with a roll of dark down, with which the duck covers the clutch when leaving the nest. The clutch contains from 6 to 14 eggs 63-65 millimeters long. The shell is light with a greenish tint. Down feathers stay in the nest for 10-15 hours, then go to the water, traveling through the forest sometimes hundreds of meters. They are dark olive above, yellowish below, with a dark stripe running from the beak through the eye. The voice is a thin whistle “pi-pi-pi-pi...”. A female scared from the nest sometimes diverts attention by pretending to be sick. The brood often quacks, flying in circles and constantly perching on the water.

Woodcock

The nest is located in a mixed damp young forest under the cover of deciduous undergrowth or a young fir tree. The hole is lined with a very small number of dry blades of grass or thin twigs. There are 4 eggs, pear-shaped, about 42 millimeters in length, with their sharp ends down and inward. The shell is dirty buffy with large, sharply defined dark brown or rusty brown spots. The down jackets are yellow with dark brown large spots. The beak becomes long, almost like that of adults, only at 1.5 months of age. Slow, they run away with their wings raised up. The calling signal is a very thin, long whistle, difficult to locate. The female sits tightly on the clutch and, in extreme cases, flies off from under her very feet. At the same time, it sometimes pours liquid excrement over the masonry. Such eggs must be carefully wiped, otherwise the woodcock may abandon the clutch. The female takes off from the chicks with a demonstrative noise, flies low, slowly, lowering her legs and back of her body, sometimes sits on the ground, flaps her wings and squeals.

Carrier

The nest is hidden in the coastal forest or at its edge among bushes, grass or under the cover of brushwood, 5-100 meters from the water's edge. In open areas near the shore it is located much less frequently. The nesting hole is lined with a small number of blades of grass and leaves. The clutch contains 4 eggs, the usual pear-shaped shape for waders, 35-40 millimeters long. The shell is greenish-olive with reddish-brown and dark gray spots, concentrated at the blunt end. The female incubates very tightly, flies out from under her very feet, but sometimes, warned by a signal from the male, she runs away from the nest in advance. Distractive displays in the brood are characteristic of both parents. The down jackets are gray on top and white underneath. They are characterized by a hiding reaction in response to an alarming signal from their parents - a thin, drawn-out whistle. They run fast, swim well, and can dive.

Big snail

It nests mainly in pine areas of old forest bordering a swamp, wet clearing or lake shore, at a distance of up to 100 meters from the edge. The clutch contains 4 pear-shaped eggs, about 50 millimeters in length. The shell is creamy with sharp reddish-brown and diffuse grayish spots at the blunt end. The down jackets are brown on top with a dark stripe on the back and sides, a black stripe goes through the eye, and white underneath. Parents are always very worried, scream loudly and often, and sit on trees and bushes. They are the size of a thrush, their back is white, their long beak is slightly turned up.

Nests low above the ground

Most forest birds place their nests low above the ground. The location of such nests is very diverse. In addition to undergrowth, undergrowth and the lower parts of tree crowns, they can be built on stumps, in defects in trunks, piles of brushwood, upturned roots and similar places. These nests are the most common. They are the most accessible for observation. I'll talk about them in order of likelihood of finding them.

Blackbirds

The nests are cup-shaped, large, with a tray diameter of 90 millimeters or more. Quite noticeable, with strong walls. They are located on stumps, at the foot of trees, in bushes, piles of brushwood, on young fir trees (white-browed, blackbird, occasionally fieldfare and songbird), on the branches of large trees (fieldfare and mistletoe), in undergrowth and on medium-sized trees (song thrush) . The tray is lined with light dry stems (white-browed, fieldfare, mistletoe), dark rotten leaves and grass (blackbird) or smoothly smeared with light yellow wood dust and has no lining (song thrush). The entire nest is massive and heavy due to the earth in the walls (fieldfare, mistletoe, whitebrow), abandoned and sloppy in appearance (blackbird) or light, covered outside with moss, lichens or dry leaves (song thrush). The eggs are bright blue with rare black dots (song) or greenish with blurry brown spots, length 25-30 millimeters. The embryonic down of the chicks is light and located on the head, back, shoulders and forearms. Grown-up chicks are light below with dark specks and dark gray above, with a white eyebrow and red sides (white-browed), light gray back (fieldfare) or dark brown, almost black (blackbird). They jump out of the nest, unable to fly. During the first days they live on the ground and move by jumping. Adult birds, restless, fly high, rumble, sometimes dive and douse excrement (fieldfare), with a sharp high-pitched crash “tsri-tsri-tsritsritsri...” they fly, click their beaks and coo in a high-pitched voice (white-browed bird), emit a long dry crackling sound “ Tsrrrrrr...” (muddle) or, hiding among the foliage, they coo quietly (“pon, pon, pon”), and when very excited they shout somewhat hysterically “tikstikstikstikstiks” (blackbird).

Warblers

The nests are open, small (tray diameter 45-70 millimeters), built from thin twigs (garden warbler) and dry blades of grass. The tray is lined with roots (whitethroat), dry stems and blades of grass (garden warbler, hawksbill), and hair (blackhead warbler). They are located at a height of up to 1 meter, less often higher, most often in bushes and woody growth. There are 4-6 eggs in a clutch, the length of which is about 20 millimeters (the lesser for the Accentor). The shell is light with brown specks or with a marble pattern. The chicks of all species are initially naked. The oral cavity is meat-red (blackhead and garden) or yellow (accentor, gray, hawk). There are two faint dark spots on the root of the tongue. Nests of the garden warbler and blackcap are usually found in forests and parks; nests of the hawk's warbler and the lesser are found in clearings, in young plantings and on the edges. All these are, in general, small birds, no larger than a sparrow.

Warbler

The nest is neat, often braided with cobwebs, the edges of the nest cover the branches to which it is attached. The eggs have a purple tint. The top of the head is pale brown in mature chicks. The incubating bird lets you close and allows you to get a good look at yourself. The male (black cap) and the female (top of head light brown) can incubate. When frightened, it often takes the pose of a wounded bird, squeals hysterically, and sometimes attacks. The alarm signal is a sharp and high-pitched “che-che-che-che.”

garden warbler

The outside of the nest is loose and does not entwine its edges with bush branches. The chicks are grayish-brown. Adult birds are uniformly colored, gray, scurry around in the bushes when restless, and emit a jerky, sometimes repeated, sometimes less often, sometimes more often, sound “wed-wed-wed-wed-wed...”.

Whitethroat

The nest is miniature, the smallest. The tray is lined with thin twisted roots. It is usually located on young coniferous trees. The eggshell is light with dark spots and dots. Adult birds often actively move away, squeal and, dragging their wings along the ground, run away to the side. A signal of concern is a sharp clicking sound.

Hawk's Warbler

The nest is loose and larger, the width of the tray is up to 70 millimeters. The eggshells are off-white with barely visible spots. Fledglings are similar to adults, but they do not have streaks on the underside of the body. The adult bird has a dark transverse pattern on the underside of the body and a yellow eye (male). The alarm cry is a loud “check-check-check” (almost like a shrike) or “chrrrr”. Concerned parents fly very actively from bush to bush. They are larger than other warblers.

Nest gray warbler, usually located near the ground, I described above.

Garden warbler

The construction is dense and well decorated. It is located low, at a height of up to 1 meter, often close to the ground, in thickets of nettles, raspberries or dense bushes, usually not far from an open place, often on personal plots in villages. Strengthened between vertical shoots of grass. The outside is woven from dry narrow leaves and stems of herbs with the addition of plant fluff and cobwebs. The tray is deep (40-50 millimeters), tapering upward, lined with very delicate stems, sometimes with hair. The diameter of the tray is 50-60 millimeters. There are 4-6 eggs in a clutch, about 18 millimeters long. The color of the shell is very variable: the background is from pale pink to off-white and milky, the spots are reddish-brown or brown, sometimes covering the entire egg. The chicks are initially naked. The oral cavity is yellow. There are two well-defined black spots at the base of the tongue. When disturbed at the nest, adult birds, about the size of a warbler, dart about in nearby bushes, making high-pitched clicking and crackling sounds.

Shrike

It nests in sparse forests, parks, clearings, as well as in bushes along river valleys and hayfields. The nest is usually located no higher than 2 meters, sometimes near the ground, in the roots of a bush or in a pile of brushwood. The nest building is quite large (tray width up to 80 millimeters) and loose. The building material is dry grass, sometimes moss outside. Near the villages in the nest you can find paper, cotton wool, rags and other waste. There are 4-7 eggs in a clutch, up to 23 millimeters long. The shell is of two types: the background is light pink or light gray, and the spots that form a rim at the blunt end are rusty or dark gray. The chicks hatch naked, but small rudimentary fluff is visible on the ventral side. Grown chicks are reddish above, gray below with a dark transverse pattern. They are silent in the nest, but after flying out they constantly squeal loudly, begging their parents for food. By this cry it is easy to determine the location of the brood. The family does not break up for a long time and stays in one place. The restlessness of adult birds is very characteristic. The birds loudly and evenly utter “che-che-che-che...” and, sitting in a visible place, energetically twist their tails in different directions. They are noticeably larger than a sparrow. There is a dark stripe on the head that goes through the eye.

Black-fronted Shrike

Nests in shelterbelts, gardens, parks, groves bordering open areas. Absent in the northern regions of the middle zone. The nest is most often located near the trunk or on the side branches of edge trees at a height of 2-5 meters, sometimes higher. The nest is quite large (diameter up to 90 millimeters), made of grass stems and twigs, often from wormwood. The clutch contains 5-6 eggs 24-27 millimeters long. The shell is pale green or ocher, the specks are brownish or brown with a purple tint. The first days the chicks are naked, in the nesting plumage they are brownish-gray, light underneath with a thin transverse pattern, the frenulum is brown. Adult birds are smaller than starlings, gray above, white below with a pinkish tint. The wings are black with a white mirror, a black stripe running through the eye covers the forehead. The tail is black and white. Anxiety at the nest is expressed by a loud “chok-chok-chok” and twitching of the tail.

Oriole

The nest is on the side branches of deciduous trees or pine trees at a height of 2 to 16 meters. More often you have to observe nests located low. Sometimes bending a branch is enough to reach the nest, which looks like a hammock suspended from a fork. Made from soaked bast fibers, grass stems and birch bark, the color is yellowish-green. The tray is lined with blades of grass, sometimes with feathers. The tray width is about 100 millimeters. There are 3-5 eggs in a clutch, about 30 millimeters long. The shell is white with small and sparse black dots. In the first days, the chicks are dressed in light yellow down, located on the head, back, shoulders, elbows, hips and belly. The oral cavity is pink, becoming brighter with age. The fledglings are the size of a starling, grayish-green above, light below with gray longitudinal streaks. Their calling cry is a loud “ki-ki”. When inspecting the nest, adult birds fly, swooping overhead, emitting unpleasant cat-like cries of “nrrrya” or “yarrrrrr”.

Gray flycatcher

The location of the nest is very varied. It can be found in half-hollows, behind loose bark, on broken trunks, at the base of the lower branches of trees, as well as in various buildings. The nest is loose, the outside is covered with moss or lichens. The inside is lined with blades of grass, feathers, and hair. The size and nature of the building varies depending on the location. In the hole at the end of a rotten stump there is one lining, on tree branches it is larger and with formed walls, in a half-hollow and behind the loose bark only the outer wall is clearly visible, etc. The diameter of the tray is 50-60 millimeters. The clutch contains 4-6 eggs, covered with large rusty spots scattered over a greenish background. The eggs are about 18 millimeters long. The chicks are initially dressed in sparse gray down, located on the head, back, shoulders, elbows and hips. The oral cavity is yellow. Grown-up chicks are gray with longitudinal streaks. Adult birds are slightly smaller than a sparrow, gray, elongated, slender. When worried, they sit in a conspicuous place, constantly flapping their wings and making a high-pitched “si-chek-chek” sound.

Finch

The nest is beautiful, neatly twisted, with thick walls. The outside is covered with lichens, moss, and birch bark films. It resembles a growth on a tree and is therefore difficult to detect. It is most often located not very high near the trunk or in the middle of a side branch. The inside is lined with feathers, hair, and plant fluff. The diameter of the tray is about 50 millimeters. There are 4-7 eggs in a clutch, about 20 millimeters long. The color of the shell is of two types: bluish-green or reddish-green with dark dots, spots and curls, more numerous at the blunt end. The chicks are initially quite heavily pubescent. The down is dirty gray in color and is located on the head, shoulders, elbows, thighs, legs and belly. The oral cavity is crimson-red. Grown-up chicks have two white stripes on their wings, which are also characteristic of adult birds. Embryonic down remains on the head for some time after leaving the nest. The voice of the fledglings is a quiet chirping. The alarm signal is different for males and females. The males drink, emitting the “true, triu...” signal at different frequencies, and also kick. Females only kick. Sometimes the female struggles on the ground, trying to move her away from the nest.

Greenfinch

The nest is located in bushes, on undergrowth or low in trees, often in young fir trees along roads or in garden plots. The structure is thick-walled, but looser and less neat than that of the finch. In the outer walls there is moss or wormwood (forest-steppe zone). The tray is lined with feathers, hair, and sometimes wool. The diameter of the tray is about 70 millimeters. The clutch contains 4-6 eggs of the same size as a finch. The shell is pale blue with rare reddish and purple spots and streaks. The chicks are pubescent in the same way as finch chicks, but there is no down on the upper eyelid. The oral cavity is pinkish-red. When examining chicks, one often notices their “cubicles,” filled with immature seeds—the chicks’ main food. The grown chicks are thick-billed, gray with longitudinal streaks on the chest and belly. When restless at the nest, adult birds sit to the side, occasionally emitting an extended “dewey” call. They are the size of a sparrow.

Lentils

It nests in parks and gardens, in forest clearings, as well as in bushes along river valleys. The nest is located in bushes or on small trees at a height of up to 2, often up to 1 meter. Woven from dry herbs or thin twigs sticking out in different directions. The tray is lined with plant stems and hair. It is 60-65 millimeters in diameter. There are 4-6 eggs in a clutch, about 20 millimeters in length. The shell is bright blue with a small number of small brown spots. The chicks hatch with down on their heads, backs, shoulders, elbows, thighs and legs. The oral cavity is flesh-red. The “crows” of chicks are often filled with seeds of immature plants. The grown chicks are thick-billed, gray with longitudinal dark stripes on the underside of the body. Worried about the nest, the parents fly close and, puffing up the feathers of their crowns, emit a plaintive “yay.” Old males have red plumage on the head, neck and chest. Females are colored gray. Dimensions are the same as the previous type.

Bullfinch

The nest is located on a young Christmas tree or on the branches of coniferous trees at a height of 1 to 5 meters. Woven from thin twigs and stems of herbs, somewhat flattened. The tray is lined with delicate blades of grass, sometimes with a small number of feathers. The diameter of the tray is about 80 millimeters. The clutch contains 4-6 light blue eggs, speckled with rare red-brown spots, dots and lines. The length of the eggs is 21-22 millimeters. During the first days, the chicks are covered with dark gray thick down on the head, back, shoulders, elbows, hips, legs and belly. The color of the oral cavity is meat-red with purple areas. Grown-up chicks are colored brownish. The parents remain secretive at the nest. When they are very anxious, they begin to fly from tree to tree, emitting the usual “fuh” call. The male's striking red coloration of the feathers on the front part of the body and the black top of the head are striking. The female is gray, only the head is black on top and the rump is white.

Grosbeak

The nest is located at a height of 1.5 to 8 meters in bushes or on small twisted trees, most often deciduous, less often on mature trees. Woven from twigs, rather loose, flattened. The tray is lined with blades of grass, sometimes with hair, with a diameter of about 80 millimeters. There are 4-6 eggs in a clutch, about 23 millimeters long. The shell is pale green with a few bluish or olive-gray spots, dots and swirls. The chicks are initially covered with thick white down on the back, shoulders, forearms, thighs, legs and very little on the ventral side. Slow. The oral cavity is crimson-red with bluish areas along the edges. When disturbed, they can jump out of the nest already on the 10th day of development. Fledglings have a powerful light-brown beak, brownish-yellow plumage, and a light stripe on the wing. Adult birds are quite large, but smaller than a starling, with a relatively short tail. The edging of the beak and throat is black, the top is chestnut, and there is a light or white (males) stripe on the wing. The general color is brownish-brown. The flight is swift and undulating. The alarm signal is a ringing twittering, most often a double “click-click”.

Goldfinch

The nest is located at a height of 1.5-8 meters at the end of a large branch of a large tree (pine, oak) or in the vertical whorl of a young tree (maple, elm, apple tree). It is dense, with thick walls. The outside was decorated with pieces of moss, lichen, and birch bark films. The tray is lined with white willow down, sometimes with hair, wool and feathers. The diameter of the tray is 50-60 millimeters. There are 4-5 eggs in a clutch, about 20 millimeters long. The shell is bluish with purple-brown spots and streaks. The chick hatches with light gray down, which is located on the head, back, shoulders, forearms, thighs, legs and belly. The oral cavity is meat-colored. Fledglings do not have the red and black color on their heads, as is typical for adult birds. The lower part of the body is mottled. The female sits very tightly on the nest and lets her close. Concerned, it flies nearby, emitting a “drink-drink” signal, sometimes falls to the ground and flutters, trying to lead it away from the nest.

Linnet

I gave a description of the nest, eggs and chicks in the article “Nests of birds of fields and dry meadows.” But sometimes linnet also nests on forest edges, in parks, in clumps of bushes in gardens. Often several couples live in the same neighborhood. The birds are smaller than a sparrow, brownish on top, with a striking dark red color on the chest (males). When restless near the nest, adult birds emit a drawn-out and melodious “aphids” and fly from place to place with a short crackling sound. They fly to open stations for food, with the male always accompanying the female.

Mockery

The nest is usually located no higher than 2-3 meters, most often on young deciduous trees, less often in bushes and coniferous trees. It has an almost spherical shape, open at the top, with thick and dense walls. From the outside it appears light due to the woven films of birch bark and plant fluffs. The tray is lined with feathers, sometimes with hair. Its diameter is 45-50 millimeters. The whole building is neat, beautiful, reminiscent of a finch’s nest. There are 4-6 eggs in a clutch, less than 20 millimeters long. The chicks are born completely naked. The oral cavity is orange-yellow, there are two bright black spots on the root of the tongue. Adult birds are smaller than a sparrow, have a thin beak, and are greenish-yellow in color. When inspecting the nest, they very quickly emit a loud squealing “chivi-chi-chivi” signal.

Wren

It nests in cluttered areas of the forest, usually no higher than 2 meters, in piles of brushwood, in inversions, bushes or on young trees, less often on the lower branches of large trees or in hollows. The nest is in the form of a dense, almost spherical structure with a round side hole. The general color of the nest is dark, the dimensions are relatively large, the height is about 120 millimeters. Outside - moss or dry leaves mixed with thin twigs or grass. Lined with moss, plant fluff and feathers. There are 5-8 eggs in a clutch, 17 millimeters long. The shell is white with brownish-red spots. Newborns have sparse down on the head and back. The oral cavity is yellow. The fledglings are brownish-red, with a very short tail, and fly slowly, one after another, close to the ground, emitting a crackling trill. Adult birds are much smaller than a sparrow, reddish-brown, with an upturned tail. They stay low to the ground, darting through bushes and dead wood. When restless they make loud noises.

Wood Accentor

It nests in dark areas of the forest, usually among a dense growth of young fir trees, sometimes in bushes. The nest is open, made of moss and thin twigs. There are 4-6 eggs in a clutch, about 20 millimeters long. The shell is pure blue, without spots. One-day old chicks are covered in black down located on the head, back, shoulders, elbows and hips. The oral cavity is bright orange. There are two sharp black spots on the root of the tongue and one on the top. Adult birds stay inconspicuously near the nest, occasionally giving a quiet smacking signal. They come across very rarely. The size of a sparrow.

Little flycatcher

It nests both in hollows and openly in dense forest, most often on young trees near the trunk or in a tangle of side branches. The nest is made of moss, with thick walls. The eggshells are rusty-spotted.

Pika

It nests low in cracks or behind loose bark near tree trunks. The nest is miniature (tray diameter 40-50 millimeters), oblong, built on the outside from wood fibers and pieces of bark, and lined with feathers on the inside. The clutch contains 5-8 very small eggs, about 15 millimeters long. The shell is white with reddish spots. Chicks at an early age have fluff only on their heads. Fledglings are spotted above, yellowish-white below, the beak is thin, curved downwards. Adult birds are smaller than sparrows and move through trees by jumping, leaning on their tail. They are trusting and let you get close. During the feeding period, chicks often fly up to the nest with a bunch of insects in their beak. The calling cry is a rattling high whistle repeated several times. The signal of concern is a very high-pitched “tion” emitted infrequently.

Long-tailed tit

The nest is located in a vertical fork of willow bushes, near a trunk or in a whorl of branches of deciduous trees at a height of 2.5-10 meters, less often higher. Well camouflaged under the bark of a tree with light lichens, pieces of moss, plant fluff or insect cocoons, so it resembles a growth on a tree. The shape is similar to a wren's nest - closed, with a side opening. Height 120-160 millimeters. The inside is very richly lined with feathers. The clutch contains 10-15 small eggs, about 14 millimeters long. The shell color is light with pale pink spots, sometimes completely white. The first days the chicks are naked, the oral cavity is yellow. Grown-up chicks have light caps on the crown, white plumage with dark spots. The adult bird is smaller than a sparrow, but with a very long tail. The color is white with black areas on the back and tail. Often suspended from branches with its back down. At the nest it behaves calmly, flies from branch to branch, emitting a quiet short signal “tsirr”. Flying up to the nest with food, it subtly squeaks “sisisi-sisi-sisi.” The chicks respond with the same signal.

Jay

The nest is located 1.5-6 meters from the ground on pine trees or deciduous trees, sometimes in large bushes. The outside of the nest is sloppy, rough, made of dry branches, but the tray is neat, dense, lined with thin intertwined roots. There are 5-9 eggs in a clutch, about 30 millimeters long. The shell is bluish-green with numerous small dull olive-brown spots that evenly cover the entire egg. Chicks at an early age are naked with a yellowish-green coating on the skin. The oral cavity is bright meat color. The grown chicks are dressed in reddish plumage, have a white rump and bright blue large wing coverts with black streaks. When frightened, they open their mouths and press themselves to the bottom of the nest, sometimes they begin to scream in unison in nasal howling voices. Adult birds are slightly smaller than jackdaws, stay at the nest carefully and secretly, but, protecting the chicks, sometimes even fly into humans. The cry of warning is reminiscent of the buzzard's call, "kayy." When excited, just like chicks, they scream in chorus in unpleasant voices.

Magpie

The nest is usually located in dense thickets among young forests, in pine poles, bushes or on low trees. It can nest high in city parks. The building is bulky (height about 60 centimeters), rough, closed, with a side entrance. Outside there are dry branches, sometimes prickly. The walls of the nest contain earth or clay. The tray is lined with dry grass and occasionally wool. The clutch contains 5-9 fairly large eggs, 35-37 millimeters long. The shell is bluish-green with numerous brown spots. The chicks are initially naked. The color of the oral cavity is dark pink. Fledglings are similar to adults, but with shortened tails. Adult birds, when worried, chirp loudly to the side or fly high above the nest. In flight, the very long tail, blunt wings, as well as black-green and white areas of the plumage are striking. Tree sparrows, falcons, kestrels, and less often great tits sometimes settle in empty nests of magpies.

Sparrowhawk

The nest is quite large, about 50 centimeters in diameter, built from dry branches, and shallow. It is located at a height of 3-5 meters from the ground in the lower half of the crown of not the largest tree growing in the depths of the forest. There are 4-6 eggs in a clutch, about 45 millimeters long. The shell is white with rare but large rusty-brown spots. The chicks are covered in white down, which is soon replaced by longer gray down. Fledglings have brownish-gray plumage with transverse stripes or spots on the ventral side. The legs are yellow with very long toes and tarsus. The iris and cere are yellow. Adult birds are extremely careful, do not show themselves at the nest, and scream to the side. The alarm signal is a fast and high-pitched “gigigigigi-gi.” Under the nest you can find the remains of victims - small passerine birds, thrushes, woodpeckers, as well as wood pigeons, hazel grouse and young black grouse.

Turtle Dove

The nest is in the form of a flat platform with a diameter of about 20 centimeters. A loose structure made of dry twigs, carelessly thrown one on top of the other. Sometimes it shows through from below. It is located in bushes or low on trees, in young pine trees near the tree trunk. The clutch contains 2 white eggs about 30 millimeters long. The chicks hatch dressed in sparse, hair-like yellowish down. The crops of chicks are often filled with weed seeds and grains of cultivated plants. The adult bird is slightly larger than a thrush. She noisily flies off the nest, letting him get very close to her. Sometimes it falls to the ground and struggles, trying to get it away from the nest. During flight, a white stripe running along the edge of the tail is noticeable. It doesn't take long to return to the nest.

Wood Pigeon

The nature of the nest is the same as that of the previous species, but the entire structure is larger, its diameter exceeds 30 centimeters. The height of the location is 3-5 meters, sometimes more. It is fixed near the trunk or on a side branch, most often of spruce or pine. The clutch contains 2 white eggs about 40 millimeters long. In the first days, the chicks look like turtle dove chicks, but the down is greyish. Fledglings have white wing feathers. Adult birds are cautious and usually do not show themselves after they fly away from the nest. A bird scared from its nest sometimes falls down and thrashes on the ground, trying to divert attention from the chicks. Slightly larger in size than a domestic pigeon.

Chernysh

A clutch of 4 pear-shaped eggs is usually found in an empty nest of a song thrush, fieldfare or mistletoe, less often of a pigeon or jay, very rarely in a hole at the end of a tall rotten stump. The height of the location varies from 2 to 6 meters. The eggs are much larger than thrush eggs, their length is approximately 39-40 millimeters. After a day, the puffballs themselves jump to the ground, after which the brood moves to the coast of the nearest body of water. The chicks are brown above and light below. The voice - a thin squeak - constantly sounds during the movement of the brood. The female sits very tightly in the nest, showing great trust. Her voice is a melodic “tlui”.

Nests in the middle or upper parts of tree crowns

You usually have to get acquainted with nests located high in the trees from a distance, limiting yourself to viewing the nests themselves, the grown chicks and adult birds sitting on the nest or near it. However, knowing what can be seen inside the nest is important.

Rook

It nests colonially among the cultural landscape, sometimes in city parks and squares. The nesting buildings are massive, made of branches, several on one tree. There are known rookeries that number hundreds of nests and exist for decades. In April, you can see females incubating eggs and feeding them with males, while the female behaves like a chick, shaking her wings and screaming loudly. There are 3-5 eggs in a clutch, up to 45 millimeters long. The shell is greenish with brown spots. Adult birds are black, with a white base of the beak. They are noisy. The croaking cry of “kra” can be heard from a long distance. Jackdaws, falcons, kestrels and tree sparrows sometimes settle in the nests of rooks.

Hoodie

It nests in gardens and parks of cities, in forests near the edges. The nest is single, similar to a rook's. Located in the middle part of the crown or higher. The nest lining is made of wool, feathers, and sometimes rags. There are 4-5 eggs in a clutch, up to 42 millimeters long. The shell is pale green with superficial brown and deep gray spots and specks. The chicks have dark gray fluff on the head, back, shoulders, elbows, hips and belly. In April, you can observe females sitting on nests, occasionally emitting a signal similar to the cry of a chick. At the end of May - beginning of June, the crows are already large and can be seen on the nest. Fledglings have gray and black plumage. They often end up on the ground or sit low on branches. In this case, the parents make a terrible noise, fly around and croak. Empty crow nests are sometimes occupied by kestrels, merlins, falcons and long-eared owls.

Crow

The bulky nest is located at the top of a tree growing near a moss swamp, river floodplain or field. Outside there are rough branches, stems of heather, moss, dry grass mixed with earth. A tray made of wool and hair, sometimes from dry grass. The clutch, which appears at the end of March, contains 4-6 eggs up to 55 millimeters long. The shell is pale greenish-blue with brownish and gray spots and dots. The chick hatches with dark gray down on the head, back, shoulders, forearms, thighs and sometimes on the belly. The oral cavity is flesh-red. Fledglings are matte black, without the metallic sheen characteristic of adult birds. Loud. The food signal is “kaa... kaa...”. The calling calls of adults, "kruk-kruk" or "krok", made in flight, are often heard in the nest area. Sometimes guttural conversations between a male and female are heard in the distance, or large black birds are seen soaring high above the nest, easily identified by their wedge-shaped tail.

Chizh

Among songbirds, the siskin is one of the few that nests high, 6-15 meters from the ground, placing its building close to the top of a fir tree, less often on a pine tree. The nests are well camouflaged, making them difficult to find. They have a neat appearance, thick walls and a cozy tray lined with golden-copper stalks of cuckoo flax, hair, and sometimes plant fluff or feathers. The outer walls are usually made of moss and lichens. There are 5-6 eggs in a clutch, 15-16 millimeters long. The shell is pale greenish with rusty or reddish spots. The chick is born with short dark down on the head, back, shoulders and forearms, legs and belly. The oral cavity is meat-red, the beak is yellow. Skin color is dirty pink. The “crows” are often swollen and filled with seeds, which the parents feed the chicks. The fledglings are dressed in grayish-green plumage, streaked in front. Very mobile, not yet able to fly, they deftly jump and climb spruce branches. When begging for food, they scream loudly and for a long time in ringing voices. This cry is the easiest way to find the nest, although the parents fly to it no more than 2 times an hour. When restless at the nest, adult birds, flying around, utter the usual cry “chi-zhi” or “pi-li”.

Yellow-headed Kinglet

The nest is hidden in the upper parts of the crowns of spruce trees, so it is difficult to find it, but it is possible - by the behavior of adult birds, which constantly fly in to feed the chicks. The building is neat, with thick walls made of moss, lichen, thin spruce branches, up to 120 millimeters in diameter. The tray is deep and lined with feathers. The entire nest is almost spherical, suspended from below from a spruce paw. The clutch contains 8-10 very small eggs, 13-14 millimeters long. The shell varies greatly in color, most often light with brownish-red speckles. The fledglings are colored modestly, in greenish-gray tones. There is no bright yellow-orange and lemon-yellow stripe on the head, as is typical for adult birds. The parents stay calmly near the nest, but constantly utter their high-pitched calling cry “sisi... sisisi...”. While feeding the chicks, the male sings all the time near the nest while collecting food.

Kobchik

Like all falcons, it does not build nests. Settles in the nests of rooks, crows and magpies. Occupying the nests of rooks, it sometimes forms large colonies. The clutch contains 4-6 rounded eggs 35-40 millimeters long. The shell is densely dotted with rusty spots. The chicks hatch with white down, which after 10 days is replaced by a second, longer grayish down. Grown chicks have dark brown or reddish plumage. The iris is black-brown, the wax is pale orange, the claws are light. Adult birds at the nest are very noisy. Flying rapidly, they make high-pitched, frequently repeated sounds “ki-ki-ki-ki-ki...”. The wings are narrow, pointed. Males are dark on top, the underbelly and undertail are red. Females are reddish with longitudinal dark streaks.

Kestrel

Occupies old nests of crows, rooks or magpies. Breeds in solitary pairs. The clutch contains 5-7 eggs up to 43 millimeters in length. The shell is ocher, abundantly covered with rusty-brown spots. Downy outfits of chicks, like the previous species. The fledglings are reddish above, buffy below with longitudinal streaks. The iris is dark brown, the wax is bluish, the claws are dark. Adult birds, restless at the nest, fly around, emitting a loud “clickclickclick”, sometimes silently fly high in the sky, hovering and at times “shaking” in one place.

Merlin

Usually it occupies empty crow nests located on pine or spruce trees in remote areas of the forest, not far from a moss swamp or field. There are 3-5 eggs in the clutch, similar in shape and color to kestrel eggs, but slightly smaller. The downy outfits of the chicks are approximately the same as those of the previous species. Fledglings on top and sides are dressed in dark brown plumage with light streaks on the back of the head, buffy below with longitudinal stripes, tail and wing feathers with light transverse stripes. The iris is brown, the beak is bluish, the wax and legs are yellow. The voice in a calm state meows, when frightened, like adults, they emit a sharp and quickly repeated “ki-ki-ki-ki-ki...”. Adult birds are difficult to see. They rarely rise above the forest. The flight is fast and maneuverable. The wings are shortened and sickle-shaped. Small falcon, smaller than kestrel and crow.

Hobby

Occupies empty nests of crows or ravens located on coniferous trees, less often on deciduous trees, in the upper parts of the crowns, at an altitude of 10-20 meters, on the edge of a moss swamp or near the floodplain of a river or lake. The clutch contains 3-4 eggs, similar in color and size to the eggs of other small falcons. Downy outfits, like the previous types. The fledglings are dark brown above, light below with longitudinal streaks, the beak is dark, the wax is bluish, the legs are light yellow. Adult birds are smaller in size than crows, behave noticeably near the nest, fly over the forest, scream loudly, but do not fly close. In flight, long sharp wings, longitudinal streaks on the underside of the body, bright red undertail, “pants” and the lower part of the belly are noticeable, and there are black “whiskers” on the head near the beak.

Buzzard

The nest is in the middle part of the crown of a tree growing near a clearing or field. The building is bulky, from 0.5 to 1 meter in diameter. The tray is shallow, by the end of the chicks’ stay it becomes flat; on the edge there may be fresh branches, which the buzzard constantly brings to the nest. The clutch contains 2-4 rounded eggs about 50 millimeters long. The shell is light greenish with a small number of brown and grayish spots. The chicks are born covered in brownish down, which then changes to thicker and shorter light down. The plumage of fledglings varies in color, but is mostly brown or buffy with a transverse or longitudinal pattern on the front side of the body. The iris is brown, the beak is horny, the wax and legs are yellow. Hungry chicks often scream in high, drawn-out voices. Adult birds do not stay close to the nest. Seeing people, they rise high into the air and from there observe, hovering in the sky and emitting their “kayi” signal. On their dark, wide, blunt-topped wings, two light spots are noticeable below. Bigger than a crow. Under the nest you can find pellets (lumps of undigested food regurgitated by the bird), consisting of the hair and bones of small rodents.

Buzzard

The nest is in the middle part of the crown, less often lower, near the trunk, at a height of 6-15 meters, relatively small, up to 0.6 meters in diameter. The tray usually contains fresh branches. There are 2-3 eggs in a clutch, but there are never more than two chicks. The eggs are round, with a thick chestnut pattern, about 55 millimeters long. In the nest or under the nest you can find food remains - mainly pieces of honeycombs of wasps and bumblebees, much less often individual large insects, frogs, lizards, rodents and shrews. The first downy outfit is white with a yellowish tint, after 2 weeks it changes to the second - grayish. Fledglings are variable in color. Most often you come across brown ones on top and light ones with a transverse or longitudinal pattern on the bottom. The iris is light yellowish, the wax is pale yellow, the beak is blackish, the legs are yellowish. Adult birds do not fly far, sometimes they circle high in the air, emitting a very thin, drawn-out two-tone whistle “pee-ee”. which sounds quite melodic. Dimensions are the same as the previous type.

Goshawk

The nest is in the middle part of the crown at a height of up to 15-20 meters, sometimes lower, in a dense forest. The building is high (up to 0.5 meters), as it is renewed annually, the diameter is 0.6-0.8 meters. The clutch contains 3-4 rounded eggs about 60 millimeters long. The shell is light with a greenish tint, most often monochromatic, sometimes with faint brownish or greenish spots. The first down outfit is white with a yellowish coating, the second is light gray, more dense. Fledglings are brown above, reddish with a dark longitudinal pattern below, and have buffy feathers on the back of the head. The iris is yellowish, the wax is pale yellow, the legs are yellow, the claws are black. It is difficult to notice adult birds near the nest. They stay away, sometimes making "geek-geek-geek-geek..." sounds.

Black kite

The nest is located in the middle part of the tree crown or higher, near river valleys or forest edges. The building is massive (up to 0.7 meters in diameter), the tray is flat. The appearance is untidy, the tray is often lined with old rags, wool, paper and other waste. In forest-steppe areas it sometimes forms colonial settlements. Occasionally nests among a colony of gray herons. There are 2-5 eggs in a clutch, up to 58 millimeters long. The shell is white with brown spots and lines. The nest contains fresh branches and leftover food - fish, small birds, voles, moles, shrews. The first downy outfit is reddish-brown, the second is gray with a reddish tint. The fledglings are dark with buffy spots on the tops of their feathers. The iris is light brown, the wax and legs are yellow, the claws are black. Adult birds hover over the nest, emitting a long vibrating whistle and the signal “kihihihihi...”.

gray heron

Nesting colonies are located near river valleys, lakes and swamps, usually in the upper parts of the crowns of tall trees. The building is large (diameter 0.5-1 meter), light, made of thin rods. The tray is deep and decorated. The clutch contains 4-5 large (about 60 millimeters long) bluish eggs, the shells of which can often be found on the ground after the chicks hatch. The chicks hatch helpless, covered in sparse fluff; the grown ones resemble adults. The colony is usually noisy. The chicks constantly shout “ke-ke-ke-ke-ke...”, the adults scream shrilly and very sharply. Some of them fly away to feed, others fly in, and others feed the chicks.

White stork

The nest is huge, up to 1.5 meters in diameter and height, built annually. It is located in a visible, sun-warmed place - on the broken top of a forest edge tree or on the roofs of buildings, sometimes on a telegraph pole. The nest tray is shallow and flat towards the end of the breeding season. Lined with rags, hay, rags, paper, wool. The clutch usually contains 4 large eggs, reaching a length of 75 millimeters. The shell is white, heavily soiled. Both down outfits are white. Grown-up chicks look like their parents, but their beak and legs are not red, like adults, but blackish.

Great-tailed owl

Breeds in the northern regions of the forest belt. She does not build nests herself. Usually occupies empty nests of buzzard, honey beetle and goshawk, located in the middle part of the tree crown, rarely higher or lower. The clutch, which appears in April, contains 3-5 large (about 55 millimeters) eggs with a white shell. The down outfit is white with an ocher tint. The fledglings are brownish-gray with a light transverse pattern. When inspecting a nest, you need to be wary of attacks from adult birds, especially your eyes. Adult birds are smaller than eagle owls, gray with longitudinal streaks. Long striped tail, large head, large dark eyes, light beak. The cry of concern is a low, deep "wow-wow" bark, as well as a high-pitched "wack-wack" bark.

Long eared owl

It tends to occupy old nests of crows or other birds, most often in trees growing near a moss swamp, as well as in parks and cemeteries. The clutch contains 4-8 white round eggs, up to 45 millimeters in length. The downy outfit is ocher. The fledglings are reddish, with a dark facial disc; “ears” are noticeable on the head, which stick up when alert. The voice is a creaky low whistle “ee”. An adult bird rarely appears at the nest.

Nests in hollows or artificial nest boxes

Hollows in most cases have narrow openings and are often located high. Therefore, it is difficult to inspect them. But the behavior of adult birds near hollows is very revealing. Hollows contain nests not only of passerine birds and woodpeckers, but also of rollers, swifts, owls, pigeons and even ducks.

Starling

Nesting in hollows is just as common as nesting in birdhouses. It often settles in hollows located low and with a large hole. In this case, it is easy to get acquainted with the eggs, as well as the chicks, which are interesting in the starling for their adaptations to life in a hollow. The clutch contains 4-6 blue (without spots) eggs about 30 millimeters long. Chicks at an early age have light gray down on the head, back, shoulders, forearms and thighs. The oral cavity is bright yellow. The folds in the corners of the mouth are light, clearly visible in the dark hollow and very wide, especially on the lower jaw. Fledglings have dark gray plumage without speckles or shine, and a light throat. Parents, restless at the nest, make a series of high-pitched sounds “it-it-it...” or grunt loudly.

Jackdaw

Lives in colonies. It nests not only in pipes and crevices of buildings, but also in the hollows of old trees growing in parks and oak groves. Sometimes it settles very low. A nest made of twigs, with a bedding of feathers, rags, and wool. There is earth or clay in the outer walls. There are 4-6 eggs in a clutch, about 35 millimeters long. The shell is bluish-green with brownish spots concentrated at the blunt end. At an early age, the chicks have sparse gray down on the back, shoulders, forearms and thighs. The color of the oral cavity is dark pink. The fledglings are black-brown with a grayish collar. The eyes are light. When flying from the nest, some of the chicks fall to the ground and die. Those taken into foster care quickly become tame and sometimes learn to pronounce words and phrases of human speech. A jackdaw that has flown in to feed its chicks has its throat bulging with a lump of food located under its tongue.

Great tit

It nests in hollows and birdhouses, less often in crevices of buildings and empty nests of magpies. The dimensions of the nest correspond to the size of the hollow. The walls are made of moss, lichens, blades of grass, and thin twigs. The tray is lined with a thick layer of wool, sometimes also with hair and feathers. In the first clutch there are 13-16, in the second there are 7-10 eggs 18 millimeters long. The shell is white with numerous reddish spots and dots. Newly hatched chicks have sparse down on their head, back and shoulders. The color of the oral cavity is yellow, the folds in the corners of the mouth are wide white, noticeable in the dark hollow. Sometimes they sit in two layers. They are very active and constantly circulate in the nest. The result is well-fed at the bottom, hungry at the top. The grown chicks keep calling - the characteristic “cizizizizizi”. This sound can be continuously heard in the forest during brood migrations. An adult bird is very noticeable: white cheeks, black head, yellow underparts with a black “tie”, which is especially noticeable in the male. When restless at the nest, they make the sound “tsifui” or “tsiu-trrzizizi”.

Blue tit

It nests in deciduous forests, parks and gardens, less often in artificial nesting grounds. Biologically similar to the great tit. Settles in hollows with a narrow (30 millimeters) opening, not high above the ground. Nest made of moss, bast, wool, leaves. The tray is lined with hair and feathers. There are 9-11 eggs in a clutch, about 15 millimeters long. The shell is white with reddish spots. Embryonic down is sparse, light gray, located on the head and shoulders. The fledglings are yellowish below, greenish above, the cheeks are dirty white. The voice is similar to great tit chicks. Adult birds are very impressive: white cheeks, forehead and nape, blue crown, greenish back, yellow underparts. They are smaller in size than a sparrow.

Puffy

It nests in remote areas of mixed forest. For the nest, he hollows out a hollow in rotten stumps or broken trunks. The entrance hole is round (diameter 30 millimeters), located low (up to 2 meters). Under it, small rotten spots are usually visible - the result of the work of the powder. There is often no nest lining, and eggs (7-8) lie directly on wood dust. In other cases, the tray is lined with hairs, feathers, and cobwebs. The eggs are 15-16 millimeters long, white in color with reddish spots. The chick has sparse down on its head, back and shoulders. The oral cavity is dirty yellow. The fledglings are gray above, dirty white below, with a brown cap on their heads. Adult birds, restless at the nest, emit a grumbling “tsitsike-kee.” They are gray, with a black cap, smaller than a sparrow.

Gaichka

It nests in floodplain deciduous or mixed forests, less often in parks. It selects a hollow in a deciduous tree not high from the ground. Sometimes she hollows out rotten wood herself. The hole is narrow, no more than 35 millimeters in diameter. The nest is made of moss mixed with wool. The tray is lined with the fur of wild animals and hair. There are 7-10 eggs in a clutch. Their size and color are the same as the previous species. Chicks at all stages of development are similar to chicks. The easiest way to distinguish adult birds from chubby birds is by their voice. A signal of concern is a sonorous “tsi-zyuzyuzyuzizizizi.”

Tufted tit

It usually settles in remote areas of pine forests, occupying low-lying hollows in rotten trunks or tall stumps. The hole of the hollow is no more than 30 millimeters in diameter. The nest is made of moss and lichen, the tray is lined with wool. The nest contains 7-10 white eggs with reddish spots, about 16 millimeters in length. Embryonic down is dark gray, located on the head and back. The oral cavity is yellowish, the beak ridges are light yellow. Fledglings are very similar to their parents, although all the plumage is duller and the crest on the head is somewhat shorter. They leave the hollows at the end of May. Adult birds are clearly distinguishable by the motley crest on their heads and the calling signal - the trill “trrryu”.

Nuthatch

Settles in deciduous forests or parks. Selects hollows with a hole no larger than 35 millimeters. Wide hollows are narrowed by coating the edges and ceiling with clay. Sometimes it settles in artificial nests. The material for the nest is pieces of pine bark and leaves. A clutch of 6-10 eggs about 20 millimeters long. The shell is white, mottled with reddish and purple spots. The embryonic down is dark gray, located on the head, back and shoulders. The chicks are very nimble and can hide in the loose nesting litter. Fledglings are similar to adults. After departure, they stay together with their parents, constantly emitting the calling signal “toot-toot-toot”. Almost immediately they learn to jump along trunks in all directions, including upside down.

Pied Flycatcher

Nest in a hollow or birdhouse from 1.5 meters and above. Construction material - pieces of bark, moss, dry leaves; a lining of dry blades of grass, birch bark films, and sometimes hair and feathers. The clutch contains 5-7 light blue eggs without spots. They are about 17-18 millimeters in length. Embryonic down is sparse and grows on the head, back and shoulders. The oral cavity is yellow with an orange tint. The folds at the corners of the mouth are wide yellowish-white. The fledglings are gray with speckles, similar to gray flycatcher chicks. When inspecting the nest, adult birds fly close, emitting the signal “drink, drink, drink...”, which becomes more frequent with severe anxiety. They are smaller in size than a sparrow.

White-throated Flycatcher

Distributed in deciduous and mixed forests. It is not usually found in the same forest with the pied flycatcher, which makes identification easier. It nests in hollows of mainly large lindens, oaks and other deciduous trees, as well as in artificial nesting boxes. A nest made of dry leaves, grass stems, fine sponge and hair, and sometimes feathers. There are 5-6 eggs in a clutch, 17 millimeters in length. The shell is light blue without marks. A newborn chick is pubescent in the same way as a pied chick, but the down is less frequent and shorter. Fledglings are similar to pied chicks, but some of them, apparently males, already have a light collar. Dimensions are the same as the previous type. Parents are cautious and secretive, rarely flying close. The alarm signal is similar to that of the small flycatcher - a monotonous whistle and short crackling.

Little flycatcher

The nest is located in a shallow hollow, sometimes with a wide hole and just as often open, in a fork in the branches or near a tree trunk. Constructed mainly from moss with the addition of dry leaves and blades of grass. Hair in the tray. There are 5 eggs in the clutch, 15-18 millimeters long. Their color resembles the eggs of a robin - pale greenish with brownish-red spots. When there is disturbance at the nest, the parents stay away, constantly emitting a characteristic alarm signal - a mournful two-tone whistle “fiyu, fiyu, fiyu...” and dry crackling.

Redstart Coot

The nest is located in hollows, birdhouses, buildings, or less often on the ground in a rotted stump or under a pile of brushwood. Built from dry blades of grass, roots, partly moss, the inside is lined with feathers and hair. A clutch of 5-8 bright blue eggs, usually without any spots, about 20 millimeters long. The embryonic down of the chicks is black and long, located on the head, back and shoulders. The oral cavity is pale orange. The fledglings are reddish-brown with ocher markings and have a red tail. Adult birds at the nest are very excited and are almost always visible. They are smaller than a sparrow. The signal of concern is a short whistle “fuit”, followed by a long intermittent crackling “ktktk... tktktk...”. They are easily recognized by their bright red tail, which constantly trembles.

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Every year, in order to raise offspring, the vast majority of birds make nests. In temperate latitudes and cold countries, nesting begins in the spring and ends in the summer, when the chicks are comparable in size to adult birds. But this does not happen everywhere. After all, there are many places on the globe where there is no change of seasons. In some tropical countries, summer lasts all year, in other places there is an annual change of dry and rainy seasons.