Russia is home to a wide variety of bird species, including the beautiful and iconic blue bird. These birds are found throughout the country, from the northern reaches of Siberia to the southern regions of the Caucasus mountain range.
Bluebirds are beloved by many for their dazzling colors and melodic songs, and they are a prevalent feature of the Russian landscape. Not only do they bring color to the forests and grasslands of Russia, but they also play an important role in the local ecosystems.
They feed on insects, fruit, and seeds, and in turn, they provide food for larger predators. The bluebird is also an important symbol in Russian culture, representing hope and joy.
1. Thrush
The thrushes are a wide-reaching family of birds belonging to the Turdidae family. They are found in many different parts of the world and their numbers once were much greater.
However, biologists have since reclassified members of the subfamily Saxicolinae, which includes the chats and European robins, as Old World flycatchers.
This means that the family of thrushes is now smaller than it once was. The thrushes in the Turdidae family are known for their song, their brownish-gray color, and their black feathers with white spots.
They inhabit forests, scrublands, and grasslands, and feed mainly on insects and fruits.
They also have a wide range of habitats, from local parks to mountain peaks. The reclassification of the Saxicolinae subfamily was based on multiple criteria, including the birds’ physical characteristics and behavior.
For example, the chats and European robins have a more upright posture, and they tend to feed on the ground rather than in trees.
They also have different types of calls and different types of flight patterns. The thrushes are a widespread family of birds belonging to the Turdidae family.
They have been affected by the recent reclassification of the Saxicolinae subfamily, which now includes the chats and European robins as Old World flycatchers. However, the thrushes still remain a distinct and important part of the avian world.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Turdidae |
2. Old-World Flycatchers
Source: Wikipedia
The Old World flycatchers are a family of small passerine birds, known as the Muscicapidae. This family of birds is mainly found in the Old World, but there are a few exceptions.
Two species, the bluethroat, and the northern wheatear, are the exception and can be found in North America as vagrants. The Old World flycatchers are a diverse family of birds, with a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors.
They typically range from 5.5 to 10 inches in length and have a wide variety of plumage. Many of them have brightly colored breasts and heads, while other species are more drab in color. They have short, rounded wings, a short tail, and a strong beak.
These birds mainly feed on insects, but some species are also known to eat fruit and berries. They use their beaks to catch their prey, either by plucking it from plants or by snatching it in mid-air.
They use their wings to help them maneuver around trees and bushes in search of food. The Old World flycatchers are an important part of the ecosystem, as they help to keep insect populations in check. They also provide food for other birds, such as hawks and owls.
They are an important part of the food chain and are essential for the health of the environment.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
3. Pittas
Pittas are a family of birds known as Pittidae that are found in parts of Asia, Australasia, and Africa. There are 44 different species of pittas, and although they all vary in appearance and behavior, they are generally all similar.
Pittas are considered Old World suboscines, meaning that their closest relatives are the birds in the genera Smithornis and Calyptomena. Pittas are known for being colorful and attractive birds, with many of them having brightly colored plumage.
Most pittas are found in humid tropical forests, where they feed on insects, worms, and other invertebrates. They are also adept at foraging on the forest floor and in the undergrowth, which is where they typically find their food.
Pittas are usually seen alone or in small groups, and they tend to be quite shy and secretive. Pittas are an important part of the ecosystem, as they help to control insect populations and spread seeds from the fruits they eat.
They are also an important food source for many predators, such as snakes, lizards, and birds of prey. Unfortunately, their populations are threatened by habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade, making them vulnerable to extinction.
Conservation efforts are being made in order to protect pittas and ensure their future survival.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Pittidae |
4. Emberiza
The buntings are a species of birds within the genus Emberiza, which is the only genus in the family Emberizidae. There are 45 different species of buntings that inhabit the Old World, which includes Europe, Asia, and Africa.
All buntings are seed-eating birds, meaning they subsist on eating seeds. They have short, conical bills, which are adapted for eating seeds and other small items.
Their bills are also useful for cracking open hard shells, which allows them to access the nutrient-rich food inside. Buntings are known for their colorful plumage, which consists of a variety of hues, ranging from blues, reds, and yellows.
This colorful plumage can be seen during the breeding season when the males display it in order to attract potential mates.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Emberizidae |
| Genus | Emberiza |
5. Siberian Blue Robin
The Siberian blue robin is a small, passerine bird found in the northern regions of Eurasia. It was formerly classified as a member of the thrush family, Turdidae, and is now generally considered to belong to the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae.
It is similar in size and shape to other small European species, which are often collectively known as “chats.” The Siberian blue robin has a distinctive blue-gray coloration with orange-brown underparts and a white rump.
It is known to inhabit open woodland and scrub habitats, and can often be seen foraging for insects on the ground. It is also a migratory species and is known to travel south to warmer climates in the winter months.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Larvivora |
| Species | L. cyane |
Conclusion
Bluebirds are a beautiful and interesting bird species that can be found in Russia. They are a symbol of hope and renewal, and they can bring joy to anyone who observes them.
Bluebirds can be found in many parts of the country, from the steppes of Siberia to the forests of the Far East.
Despite the challenges they face due to habitat loss and climate change, the blue birds of Russia still offer a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of nature in a country where so much is changing.