Author: Dan

Living environment and biology of the species

In its native range, this species occupies a wide range of habitats. It is found mainly in richly vegetated areas near rivers, hilly areas and on cultivated plains.

In the native range, the species may be migratory, but in areas where it has been introduced it is a sedentary species.

In the native range, the species feeds mainly on plant matter (fruit, seeds, leaves, shoots) and less on animals (mainly insects). In areas where it has been introduced, the pheasant is an opportunistic omnivore, consuming a wide range of high-calorie foods such as seeds and fruits, including those of cultivated plants. It can often be seen in open fields.

The pheasant nests solitarily. The nest is built in a hollow in the ground, lined with plant matter. The clutch, laid between April and June, consists of 8-15 eggs, rarely up to 18, usually 10-12. The incubation period is 22-27 days. The chicks leave the nest a few hours after hatching, but remain with their mother for several weeks. The chicks develop rapidly, after 12-14 days they become able to fly. At 15 weeks they are adult-like.

Living environment and biology of the species

The Mute Swan prefers extensive wetlands with rich emergent vegetation, reed beds, as well as large lakes, ponds, river bed pools. It is also present in aquatic habitats transformed by human activities, including parks with large ponds or reservoirs.

In some parts of the range populations are migratory, in others partially migratory or sedentary. In Romania, during migration or winter periods, they gather in large numbers on the lakes of the Delta, in the lagoon area, respectively in the south and south-east of the country or in Moldova. The passage herds on Transylvanian lakes probably belong to Central and Western European populations. Many individuals from the northern and north-eastern populations spend the winter here or move south in the harsh winters. There are often significant mortalities in winter when weather conditions are extreme. They don’t sing, but the loud screeching of their wings in flight can be heard far away. In the wild they live an average of 10 years,

Their diet is predominantly plant-based, consisting of submerged plants collected in shallow water by submerging their heads and necks. They also occasionally feed on aquatic invertebrates such as various insects, larvae, worms, molluscs, as well as small fish or amphibians and amphibian larvae.

It is a monogamous species. Once formed, the pair is maintained for life. It builds massive nests in reeds, on flats or sometimes even on the ground in islands with abundant vegetation. They are territorial during the nesting period, when males in particular often display aggressive behaviour towards other birds. The female lays 5-8 smoke-white eggs. Incubation lasts 35-41 days and is carried out by both parents. The chicks are nidifugous, after hatching they swim into the water after the adults. For 120-150 days they stay in the vicinity of the adults, then they can become independent.

Living environment and biology of the species

The Great Crested Grebe nests in a variety of aquatic habitat types, such as freshwater and brackish lakes with abundant submerged and emergent vegetation. It equally chooses eutrophic and non-acidic waters with muddy or sandy substrates and more or less steep banks. It prefers aquatic habitats with a large water surface area and depths of up to 5 m.

In winter it can be seen on wide-open lakes where the water does not freeze, and occasionally along the coast of marine habitats.

It is a generally solitary bird. Very rarely groups of more than 100 individuals can be seen. It is a very good swimmer and diver. It floats on the surface of the water or may dive, leaving only its head and neck out when it senses danger. It cannot fly from the ground, and in order to take flight from the water it must gain momentum by running on water.

Maximum longevity of 19 years. Reaches sexual maturity at age two.

Food consists of aquatic insects (mayflies, water bugs, dragonfly larvae, aquatic beetles) and small and medium-sized fish (eelgrass, juvenile carp, flounder, bass) up to 25-30 cm long. Rarely, it may consume small water snakes and amphibians. To feed, it dives from the surface of the water to depths of up to 4 m, using legs or wings for propulsion. It can stay underwater for up to 1 minute. Prey can be eaten both while diving and at the surface.

It is a monogamous species, with pairs maintaining each other during a nesting season. Sometimes, if the pair uses the same territory, they can maintain themselves for longer periods. The mating ritual is complex and fascinating. The two partners perform a dance in which they mime cleaning their feathers, vigorously shake their heads, and present their chosen nest building material. In the so-called ‘penguin dance’, the two partners rise with their whole bodies from the water, joining chest to chest. They usually nest in solitary pairs, but colonies of more than 20 nests have also been reported, with a distance between nests of 20-25 m. The nest is constructed of floating aquatic plants and is anchored by emergent vegetation. Lays 3-6 eggs in May-June, which are incubated for 21-29 days by both partners. When they leave the nest, they cover the eggs with decaying vegetation, thus maintaining temperature. The chicks hatch one at a time. They swim and dive from day one. The parents nurse their chicks until they are 10-11 weeks old. In bad weather, the chicks can be carried on the parents’ backs. In the event of danger, the parent carrying the chicks may dive with the chicks.

Living environment and biology of the species

The Eurasian Coot can be found in areas with small, still waters, lakes, ponds, irrigation canals, reservoirs, marshes, mudflats. The wintering flocks to large lakes and rivers. Reaches sexual maturity at two years of age.

It is a diurnal species, but can sometimes feed at night by moonlight. The diet is omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, but also on invertebrates, bird eggs, amphibians, fish and small mammals. To obtain food it dives clumsily, but quickly returns to the surface of the water due to its high buoyancy. Unlike ducks, the coot brings its food to the surface before it is eaten, so there is a risk of its food being stolen.

The Eurasian Coot is a monogamous species. During the breeding season it becomes extremely territorial. During this critical period, it is aggressive not only towards individuals of its own species but also towards other species. After carrying out a not very complicated mating ritual, which consists of a mutual cleaning with the beak, the partners choose a suitable place to build a mound-shaped nest out of reed leaves in the emergent vegetation at a certain height above the water. In mid-March, the female lays 6 to 10 cream-coloured eggs with dark spots. Rarely even up to 15 eggs can be found in a nest, in which case several females have chosen to lay their eggs in that nest. The parents hatch in turns for 21-24 days. Both parents care for the chicks. At 55-60 days after hatching, the chicks become independent. In a breeding season, a pair may lay 2 or 3 eggs.

Living environment and biology of the species

In Romania, the Blue Tit is present in different types of habitats, both in lowland areas with deciduous forests, mainly oak (Quercus sp.), but also in mixed forests. It can be seen in orchards, gardens and parks in towns, on roadsides, wherever it finds hollows or nesting cavities. In winter it can also be found in reed-covered fields. Maximum longevity is 14 years and six months. Reaches sexual maturity at the age of one year.

During the nesting period, the diet is predominantly insectivorous, but it also consumes pollen. Hanging upside down on branches, they forage for food, consisting of insects, spiders and other small invertebrates.

In winter it feeds on various seeds and fruits. It visits bird feeders in gardens and parks, consuming seeds, but also does not refuse the fat scraps left by humans. It does not migrate, being a sedentary bird throughout its range, but in cold weather it moves in mixed flocks, along with other species of pipits, to areas with more abundant food. Blue Titmice adapt very easily to new food sources and have the ability to learn new ways of foraging and to learn techniques by imitation. They are able to open the cardboard lids of milk cartons left outside doors to obtain fat-filled feeding foam, a behaviour first observed in great crested titmice (Parus major) in a UK locality.

The Blue Tit is a generally monogamous species. It defends its territory aggressively, often in intense competition with the great spotted woodpecker (Parus major). In the mating ritual, the male glides down towards the female, then ,, dances ,, around the nest with its wings and tail outstretched. Rarely, males may be polygamous, having more than one mate in the same territory. They nest in the hollows of old trees, but may also use artificial nests and sometimes cavities in building walls. The nest site usually remains in the same area from one year to the next. The nest is built by the female in these natural or artificial cavities of moss, hair, feathers and lichen. In April-May, the female lays 7-8 eggs measuring 16 x 12 mm, which she incubates for 14 days, during which time the male feeds her. Not infrequently, very large clutches of 15-18 eggs from several females can be seen. After hatching, the chicks may be fed by a single adult with astonishing frequency, once every 90 seconds. The chicks leave the nest 18-22 days after hatching. A pair generally lays two eggs in a year.

Living environment and biology of the species

The Great Tit is found on the plains, in hilly areas, but also occurs in the mountains. In some regions it can reach altitudes of 1 850-1 900 m. In Romania, the great spotted woodpecker is present in different types of habitats, being the least demanding of the species. It can be seen in deciduous, mixed or coniferous forests, but also in gardens, orchards or parks within localities, wherever it finds suitable nesting hollows or hollows. It is a sedentary species. Outside the nesting season it moves in search of areas with more abundant food, together with other species of pipit, from which it differs by its larger size. Maximum longevity is 15 years and four months. It reaches sexual maturity at the age of one year.

During nesting it forages for eggs, adults and insect larvae, but also consumes plant food such as catkins or buds. The young are fed mainly on caterpillars, which are very valuable during the growing season. In winter, the diet consists mainly of oilseeds and dried fruit. It is a common visitor to bird feeders. Unlike other species of pipit, having a large waist, this pipit can be seen feeding for a longer period of time on the ground than other pipit species. Large pygmy ducks adapt very easily to new food sources, have the ability to learn new ways of foraging and to learn techniques by imitation. In 1921, the first sighting of great tit titmice opening the cardboard lids of milk cartons left outside doors to obtain fat-filled feeding foam was made in a town in Britain, and this behaviour was subsequently seen in hundreds of towns in England, Wales and Ireland.

Great Tit nests can be preyed upon by woodpeckers, but the main predator is the weasel (Mustela nivalis), which can easily squeeze through the nest hole, and baby woodpeckers are a popular food for this mammal.

During the breeding season, the Great Tit behaves as a monogamous species. The male is very noisy, especially during the mating ritual, when he becomes territorial and sings to attract a mate. The breeding season begins in April and lasts until June. It nests in hollows, but does not avoid artificial nests, post boxes, flower pots or even metal pipes. The female builds the nest from moss, grass clippings, leaves, feathers, wool and animal fur hair. In a breeding season, starting in April-March, a pair lays two eggs. Each clutch consists of 3-18, most often 9 white, rusty-spotted, matted eggs. The female broods for 13-14 days, during which time the male feeds her. The chicks become able to leave the nest after 20-22 days, but both parents protect and feed them until they are 40 days old.

Living environment and biology of the species

The Common Wood Pigeon is widespread in all wooded regions, especially at the edge of oak forests. It can also be found in large city parks and other man-made areas. It is found from the lowlands to the lower forest line, at altitudes between 900 and 1 600 m, where there are isolated trees, forest patches or thinned forests bordering open areas or agricultural crops. In winter it flocks, sometimes forming mixed flocks with the Barn Pigeon, in extensive agricultural areas of the lowlands, especially in the Bărăgan.

The food is exclusively vegetable, consisting of cereal seeds, the fruit of forest species such as palms, beech and oak, as well as seeds of conifers and various legumes. It forages on the ground covered with vegetation, but unlike other pigeon species, the collared pigeon also forages in trees, from which it plucks buds, flowers, green leaves, fruit and seeds. Rarely, it also eats various insects such as butterflies, caterpillars, turtle lice and other invertebrates such as earthworms and some species of snails. They sometimes ingest soil granules and snail shells to replenish their mineral requirements.

Sexual maturity is reached after one year. The pair is monogamous during a breeding season. In migrating populations the couple may be long-lived. Males usually choose their territories as early as autumn, and in March-April they begin to mark their territories with characteristic calls and nuptial flights. Rarely, more than one nest is found on a tree. The nest is usually located in the territory chosen by a pair, preferably on coniferous, ivy or very twiggy trees. Sometimes the collared pigeon uses the nests of other bird species as a support for its own nest, with a few twigs, roots and other plant material. Males suggest nest sites, but it is the female that chooses the final nest site. The male provides the materials needed to build the nest, which he then hands over to the female. The female lays 2 white eggs. The partners take turns hatching for 15-17 days. At first the young are fed by both parents with a substance secreted by the goose, called “pigeon milk”, then with various insects and only later can they eat buds and young leaves. After about 5 weeks, the chicks become able to fly. In one year, the collared dove can lay 2-3 eggs, until September.

Living environment and biology of the species

The Black-Crowned Night Heronfeeds in areas with lakes, large streams, ponds, shallow vegetated channels, ponds, at the edge of water bodies, in areas rich in marsh vegetation. Nests in trees in wet areas such as meadow forests, willows in reed beds, aspen plantations. In Romania, as in all of southern Europe, the nightjar is a summer guest. At the end of the nesting season it disperses over large areas.

It flies mainly at night or during twilight periods, hence the name given to the species, the nightjar (Nycticorax nycticorax). Both the genus name and the specific epithet come from the Greek words nyx/nyctos – night, respectively korax – raven, referring to the nocturnal activity of the nightjar and its raven-like sounds. During the day it retreats into trees or bushes. They feed solitarily, but can sometimes be seen flying in small groups during the nesting season. Outside the nesting season, nightjars gather in flocks that can comprise hundreds of individuals. Sexual maturity is reached at two years of age.

Food consists mainly of small fish, but they also eat amphibians, leeches, tadpoles and insects. They hunt mainly at dusk, early or late in the day.

Black-Crowned Night Heron return to nesting areas in late March, early April. Rarely, some individuals remain in the Danube and Delta area.

During the nesting period, the Black-Crowned Night Heron is a monogamous species. It nests in monospecific or mixed colonies with cormorants and other species of terns. Nests are built in trees. Adults mate near the nest site from the first days of pair formation. Both parents help build the nest, which is made of twigs and reeds in the shape of a shallow dish. Towards the end of April, the female lays 2-3 blue-green eggs, which are incubated in turn by both parents for 21-22 days. The change to the nest involves a ritual that includes movements to display the plumage. The chicks are fed by both parents until they become independent. At 50-60 days of age, the chicks leave the nest, but remain in close proximity to the nest, waiting for food from the adults. The parents do not always recognise their own chicks, so it happens that they also bring food to chicks from neighbouring nests, especially to those that insistently beg for food.

Living environment and biology of the species

The grey heron chooses a variety of habitats, such as freshwater habitats like lakes and various streams, where it also finds trees. It feeds on the shores of lakes, ponds, canals and flooded meadows. Most commonly nests in tree canopies. It is a migratory, partially migratory and dispersive species. Dispersal of juveniles occurs as soon as they become independent.

Food consists mainly of fish, amphibians, reptiles, aquatic invertebrates, but also small mammals or even baby birds. It waits motionless in shallow water and stalks its prey, which it then pierces with its sharp beak. It is active at sunrise and sunset. During the day and night they can be seen sitting on tree branches.

Tanning starts early in March if the weather is favourable. The courtship ritual is complicated. The two partners stretch their necks, beaks pointing skywards, cluck their beaks, make sounds and peck each other. The partners only stay together for one mating season. They nest in single or mixed colonies with other lizards. Nests are built in trees near water, but also on bushes or shallower trees, in reeds or sometimes on rocks. In rarer situations, it may nest on artificial structures or even on the ground. Previous years’ nests may be reused. At the end of March the female lays 3-5 eggs, which will be hatched by both parents in 25 to 26 days. The young are fed regurgitated fish by both parents. At 42-55 days after hatching the chicks become able to fly and leave the nest. They usually lay eggs only once a year and only if the tip is destroyed do they lay a second clutch.