Solar heron. Who is the sunny heron and why is it so named?

A kind of a pockmarked bird from the American tropics. Although she was called heron, she is not related to her at all, but to cranes. Her family is represented by a single species that has spread across the tropics of America.

The sun heron - what kind of bird?

Systematization of a solar bird is not completely finished by ornithologists. Then who is the sunny heron? Her closest relative is a kagoo bird who has mastered New Caledonia. There is an opinion that she is also related to colored snipe.

If we talk about morphological and behavioral factors, it is very similar to representatives of Tsaplevs. Then at her relatives go drink and spinning tops. These individuals have some similarities with the cowherd boys. Currently, the bird is classified as a group of cranes. From cranes, it is distinguished by its small size, long beak, width of its wings, length of a sweeping tail.

Description of the bird

The body shape of this bird is the same as that of the small heron. The length of the specimens does not exceed 50 cm and the weight is 180-220 g. The magnificent sunny heron is the owner of a straight pointed beak (the length of which is noticeably larger than the head), wide round wings, a long tail, an elongated neck and short yellow legs. The legs are similar in structure to the heron extremities.

The color of the pen is dominated by orange and dark brown colors, combined with greenish-yellow, gray, white and black tones. On bright variegated plumage, two snow-white strips that adorn the dark head are especially striking.

The habits

The current males open their wings. A frightened bird flies to the nearest tree or overcomes a short path. When a near danger is discovered, she, spreading her tail and feathers, turns to the enemy and menacingly hisses, trying to frighten him. To deceive the predator, the sun heron enjoys the trick "broken wing". She, dragging the wing, leads the enemy away from the nest.

These birds live in pairs, and alone. It is almost impossible to detect them in the wild. Early in the morning, birds make a high, soft, long whistling. At other times, the only thing that can be heard is a menacing, repetitive scream, provoked by fear.

This heron, giving preference to shady places, is occasionally chosen on glades, flooded with sun rays. On them she demonstrates her magnificent plumage, making an indelible impression on the contemplators. Individuals gracefully tilt the neck, spread out the wings to the sides, straighten and raise the posh tails.

Why was the bird called the sun-heron?

On the wings of males and females, large areas of the orange-brown palette appear, which along the outer edge are framed by an ash-gray strip. From the side, it seems that the bird imitates the sunset. In this picture, as some believe, and lies the answer to the question, the sunny egret is why so named. Precisely because the color of its feathering is similar to the flashes of a bizarre evening sunset.

According to another version, all individuals on motley wings can see a picture - a radiant solar disk. This feature formed the basis for the name of the bird. On the outstretched wings two spots are clearly visible, resembling wide-open eyes. Such an original ornament dwarf herons frighten the enemies. And sometimes the sunny heron likes to luxuriate in the sun. Where did the name come from?

Her name received its name from the Ukrainian "cup" - to walk unhurriedly (act). Or from the Russian dialect "to tug", otherwise - to snap. And the pockmarked miniature bird is really slowly treading the creeks and grabbing animals.

Reproduction

Hidden herons live in the thick of the rainforest, near the water and swamps. Their spherical nests, including branches, leaves and clay, are located not only on the ground. Herons feed them on low bushes and small trees. They begin to multiply in the third year of life, during the rainy season.

With the beginning of the mating season herons are besieged by sunny meadows, widely spreading their wings and tails, which allows them to look smart. Courtships of handsome males are similar to ritual movements. They strenuously fix up the plumage, shake their heads, make demonstrative flights. Brawling individuals echo a soft and mournful, prolonged whistle, similar to call-trills.

Full masonry includes two eggs. Nasizhivayut their both partners. The chicks appear on the 27th day of hatching. Cubs grow up in 21 days. Young individuals immediately leave the parent's nest. From this it follows that the sun heron is a brood bird (and this is unusual for cranes).

Food

The source of food for these birds is aquatic animals. They prefer to eat small insects, spiders, crustaceans and other coastal living creatures. Do not shy away from small frogs and fish. They slaughter the fish, striking it with their beaks.

When collecting feed, the heron moves with slow, calm steps. Sometimes, looking for food, she wanders into shallow water. Deep-water zones do not attract her. Elegant bird prefers to avoid them. She is content with that food that is located on top of the silt and among the coastal stones.

Sometimes the sun heron is engaged in extracting food from under fallen leaves or water. During feeding, the bird is very similar to the true heron, especially when it operates a long straight beak.