Hamsterkiste Bird Gallery - Part 4

The northern lapwing has a glossy black upper side. Its underside is white, with a black band across its chest. A crest of feathers sticks up at the back of its head. Its call sounds like its name: “kee-wit”. It grows to about 30 cm long and weighs 150 to 280 g.The northern lapwing loves flat, damp meadows and pastures. It also lives in fields and farmland. It feeds on worms, insects and their larvae, as well as plant seeds.Northern lapwings build their nests in shallow hollows on the ground, lining them with grass. The female usually lays 4 olive-brown eggs with dark spots in the nest. The parents incubate them for about 4 weeks. The chicks leave the nest soon after hatching; they are precocial. But they cannot fly until they are 4 to 5 weeks old. Most northern lapwings spend the winter in southern Europe or North Africa. - Picture: Hamsterkiste

The nuthatch is the only bird that can climb headfirst down tree trunks. It clings on with its strong feet. Its name comes from the fact that it seals up gaps in nest boxes and the entrance to its nest hole with clay, leaving only a small opening. Nuthatches grow to about 15 cm long. Their upperparts are blue-gray, and their underparts are ochre-colored. A dark stripe runs across their eyes.They live in deciduous and mixed forests, parks, and gardens. They use their pointed bills to search for insects, larvae, and insect eggs in cracks and crevices in trees. They also eat seeds and nuts, especially in winter. They nest in cavities, lining them with pieces of bark, hair, grass, and feathers. The female lays about 6 - 9 white eggs with reddish-brown spots. Nuthatches are resident birds, so they stay here in winter, too. - Image: Hamsterkiste

The great tit is the largest tit that lives here. It can be recognized by its black head and white cheeks; the underside of its body is yellow with a black stripe running down it. Young birds have duller colors. The great tit is about 14 cm long. It lives mainly in areas with trees and lots of shrubs. Tits feed on insects, small caterpillars and spiders. They also like seeds, berries and buds. The great tit nests in cavities. It likes nesting in bird boxes. It builds a soft, fine nest out of moss and wool and lays about 8–10 white eggs in it. The eggs are marked with reddish spots. The chicks hatch after 11–17 days. They leave the nest after another 16 days. The great tit is a resident bird and stays in one place all year round. - Image: Hamsterkiste

Only one species of crane is found in Europe: the crane, also known as the common crane or Eurasian crane. The common crane reaches a height of 120 to 130 centimeters and has a wingspan of over 200 centimeters. In flight, the crane stretches its neck straight out in front. Its legs extend beyond its tail when it flies.

Cranes have black-and-white markings on their heads and necks, and their red crown has only a few feathers. When they are excited, this crown swells and turns bright red. Several feathers hang down over their short tails, fluffing up during courtship. Their back feathers are gray, gray-brown or reddish brown. Males grow slightly larger and stronger than females, weighing 5 to 7 kg; females weigh up to 6 kg. A crane’s bill is over 10 cm long and yellowish in color. Cranes usually start breeding when they are four years old. A pair often stays together until one partner dies. Cranes eat mice, reptiles, small fish, frogs, snails, worms and insects, as well as grains, sunflower seeds, peas and beans, berries and potatoes. Cranes are migratory birds. In autumn, you can watch long lines of cranes flying overhead. Many spend the winter in France or Spain. - Image: Hamsterkiste

The cuckoo has slate-grey plumage, a long tail and pointed wings. It grows to about 33 cm long. It likes areas with lots of trees, deciduous and coniferous forests, large gardens and parks. It feeds on caterpillars, spiders, centipedes and earthworms. The female lays about 12 eggs, each in the nest of a different bird species. Young cuckoos push the other chicks out of the nest and are fed for three weeks. Because of this behaviour, the cuckoo is called a brood parasite. It is a migratory bird that travels all the way to southeastern Africa. When it returns, it makes the sound that gave it its name. That’s how people know spring has come again. You rarely get to see a cuckoo. You’re more likely to hear its distinctive call, which also gave the bird its name. - Image: Naturschule

In summer, the blackish-brown mask on its face makes the black-headed gull easy to recognize. In winter, its head is white with grayish-brown patches on the sides. It has red legs and a red bill, grows to about 36 cm long, and likes to live in large colonies with other birds. The black-headed gull is common in the Wadden Sea and along the northern coasts of Europe and Asia. Black-headed gulls feed on insects, worms and waste. They like to steal prey from other birds. They build their nests on the shores of bodies of water. In May or June, females lay three eggs in a nest. Incubation takes 22 to 24 days. The chicks can peck at food as soon as they hatch, but stay in the nest for about a week and are cared for by their parents. In winter, our black-headed gulls migrate to Western Europe, while birds of the same species move in from Eastern Europe. - Image: Hamsterkiste

Buzzards grow to about 55 cm long. In flight, their broad wings and short, rounded tails are easy to spot. Their wingspan is more than 1 m. Their plumage varies greatly in color. It can be dark blackish brown or almost cream-colored. The upperparts are usually dark brown, while the underparts are white with dark bands and streaks. Males weigh about 750 g, and females as much as 1000 g. Buzzards can live for 25 years. They prefer the edges of forests and pastures. They feed on worms, snails, large insects, mice, rats and other small rodents. They occasionally hunt rabbits, hares or chickens. They also eat carrion. In spring, pairs often circle in the sky for hours. The common buzzard builds a large nest of dry twigs high in a tree. From late April to early May, the female usually lays 2 to 3 white eggs speckled with chocolate-brown or reddish-brown.

Both parents incubate these for about five weeks and care for the chicks. The chicks leave the nest after around 45–50 days. Buzzards are partly resident birds. Those living in northern and eastern Europe leave their territories in winter and spend it in western Europe. Image: Lukasz Lukasik (CC BY SA-3.0)

The house martin gets its name from its white underside. Its head, back, wings and tail are blue-black. Its tail is forked, splitting into two points. House martins grow to about 13 cm long. Swallows are often found near farms, in villages and in towns. They hunt various small insects, but mostly flies and mosquitoes, which they catch in flight. They are extraordinarily agile and manoeuvrable in the air. Swallows usually build their nests in buildings and barns. The 4 to 6 eggs are incubated for 12 to 14 days, and the young are cared for by their parents for about 3 weeks. Swallows are migratory birds. They fly to areas south of the Sahara in Africa, and some even travel as far as South Africa.   Photo:  Aelwyn (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The nightingale is considered the finest singer among native birds. In terms of size and plumage, however, it is rather inconspicuous. Its upperparts are reddish-brown, and its underparts are grey, white and brown. Nightingales grow to about 16 cm long. As they spend a lot of time on the ground, they favour mixed woodland with dense undergrowth and low shrubs. Nettles and ivy also provide cover. They are also found in gardens and parks. The males’ song is said to attract females. Nightingales forage on the ground. They feed on insects, worms and snails, as well as berries and fruit. Nightingales like to build their nests under bramble bushes or among nettles. Females lay 4 to 6 eggs and incubate them for about 13 to 14 days. After another 12 days or so, the chicks leave the nest. Nightingales migrate south as early as September to spend the winter there. They return in April. -  Image: Frebeck (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The hooded crow and carrion crow are subspecies of the carrion crow, differing only in their colouring. While carrion crows are found in Western Europe, hooded crows live east of the Elbe and in Scandinavia. Their grey bodies make hooded crows easy to recognise. Their heads, wings and tails are black. They are slightly larger than carrion crows, with a wingspan of about 1 m. Hooded crows live in fields and open woodland. In winter, they often stay near rubbish dumps. Crows are omnivores. They eat insects, worms, snails, mice, frogs, other birds’ eggs and young hares. They also eat human rubbish and dead animals of all sizes. Crows live with the same partner for many years. They can live for up to 70 years. They breed from March to June. Hooded crows nest in trees. The female lays 4 to 6 greenish eggs in the nest. The chicks hatch after about 3 weeks. Another 30 to 35 days later, they leave the nest. - Image: Hamsterkiste