This beautiful bird is on the farmer's black list for it is a greedy feeder on ripe grain. It also feeds on acorns, beechmast, caterpillars and slugs. Its nest, built in a tree, is a mere platform of interwoven twigs through which it is possible to see the eggs from below. The nestlings, or "squabs" are fed on a milky fluid which they obtain by pushing their bills into that of the parent and taking the nourishment with a sucking action.
In winter the resident population is increased by great flocks from Northern and Eastern Europe. |