Why is the bird called the Muscovy tit? Powderwing, Muscovy and other Muscovites nesting
Moskovka
Of all the tits living in our Moscow region, the Muscovy is the smallest tit: a ball with a short tail, at the end of which there is a small notch. 
You won’t see the Muscovy either in the city or at feeders in parks - this is a bird of taiga coniferous forests, spruce and fir, although in severe winter they are also found on other trees, but always in small and very mobile flocks. 
It’s not easy to photograph a Muscovite: it doesn’t sit still for a second, especially in very cold weather. These photographs were mainly taken at minus twenty here in Losiny Ostrov, where there are spruce districts. 
Regarding the origin of the name Moskovka, the opinions of great scientists differ. Some believe that its name comes from the word “mask,” which its white cheeks resemble. Then the original “maskovka” turned into “moskovka” in writing, since we pronounce the very name of the capital of our Motherland, the hero city, in the same way: “Maskva”, although we still write “Moscow”. Other great scientists claim that the name comes from the small silver denyuzhka Moskovka, which was half the size of another denyuzhka of the same time - Novgorod, “which was in circulation equally” at the beginning of the 16th century. This is what the Humanitarian Dictionary gives:
This is Moscow: 
You can see that the color of the Muscovy's breast varies greatly and there is no black stripe on it. About the white spot on the back of the head below. The Muscovite cannot be confused with another of our common tits, the Opolovnik, which is also called the Apollo tit for its rare beauty. Here is a polovnik - both in silhouette and in coloring they are completely different from the Muscovite. 
But it is easy to confuse the Muscovy with the brown-headed tit, which lives in the same forests and also in hollows, although the tit is a little larger, and its silhouette seems a little more elongated due to its longer tail. The first difference is the back of the head. The chickadee's black cap goes down even lower than that of the Muscovy and there is also no white spot on it. 
But the Muscovite has it! 
Both the brown-headed chickadee and the black tit rarely build hollows themselves, although they know how. More often they use the hollows of the lesser spotted woodpecker, which is slightly larger in size than a sparrow. 
This is a Muscovite near its hollow. 
And again, pay attention to the white spot on the back of the head, which is clearly visible in the middle photo. And now the bird will fly out: 
Here she is: 
Take my word for it: this is Moscow! Where the Muscovy is near the hollow, in the first photo its shoulders appear to be colored with an azure tint. But the blue tit is somewhat larger and looks different. Like this: 
Smaller than the Muscovy we have only the yellow-headed wren, which also lives in spruce forests. But you can’t confuse it with any other bird: 
You can read about Moscow here: http://www.nature-archive.ru/birds/moskovka.php
And so - here it is: 
Nice bird! January 3, 2010 (ARTICLE AND PHOTO FROM NIKOLAY CHUKSIN)
- Order: Passeriformes = Passeriformes, passeriformes
- Suborder: Oscines = Singers
- Family: Paridae = Tit
- Subfamily: Parinae = Tits
Species: Parus ater Linnaeus, 1758 = Moskovka
The Muscovy, with a body length of only about 11 centimeters for males and even smaller for females, is one of the smallest representatives of the tit family. This is a fidgety, rather short-tailed bird with somewhat bristly feathers on its head. The head is velvety black above with bright white cheeks (marred below by black). There is also a white spot on the black back of the head. It is quite possible that the modern name “Moskovka” comes from the old name “maskovka”, i.e. tit with a mask on its “face”.
The bright black plumage is located on the throat and chest in the form of a large shirtfront. The dorsal side is dark gray, the belly is light gray, with reddishness on the sides and without a black longitudinal stripe. The wings and tail are bluish-gray, darker and browner on the flight feathers and tail feathers. There are two white stripes on the wings. Young birds in nesting plumage are noticeably duller than adults, since their white areas are yellowish, although they have all the basic colors of their parents.
Muscovy has a fairly wide range and is distributed throughout Europe, found in northwestern Africa, Asia Minor and Central Asia. In the Russian European part, it inhabits subpolar forests from the Kola Peninsula and south to the border of large forests. Although it lives sedentarily in the mountains of Crimea, the Caucasus and Southern Siberia, in Ukraine and the Lower Volga it is found only in autumn and winter, during winter migrations. Within its extensive geographic range, the Muscovy shows subspecific differences in the degree of reddishness of the lower part of the chest and shades of the upper side of the body. The size of the body and parietal crest is also variable.
The distribution of Muscovy throughout the forested regions of Russia depends on its obvious attraction to coniferous species. The most favorite habitats of Muscovites are old mossy spruce forests with half-rotten hollow trunks of individual deciduous trees. In mountainous areas they mainly live in the coniferous forest zone, and in the Crimea - in the beech forest zone.
In the forests where Muscovites live, you can constantly hear the thin tit whistling “tsit” and loud cries of “tyu-pi...”, “tsi-pi” or “ti-ti-tyuy”. Looking for food, Muscovites swarm around large spruce trees, hanging in all sorts of positions from branches and cones in search of prey. Together with the kinglets, they carefully examine the trees in search of small insects. The basis of their prey is mainly weevils, bark beetles, as well as small hairy caterpillars, from which these dexterous birds pluck out their soft insides. With the arrival of winter, Muscovites diversify their menu with spruce seeds. To profit from their high-calorie contents, they squeeze the seed between their fingers, after which they crush the shell of the seed with frequent blows of their small beak.
The Muscovite lives mainly in coniferous forests, less often inhabiting dense mixed forests. The migrations of these tits are more developed than those of other related species, so in some places, starting in August, their real migration takes place. Therefore, in winter, nomadic Muscovites can be found as far south as the steppe Ukraine, and from Siberia they reach Central Asia. At the same time, there are distinct fluctuations in their numbers, which probably depend on local seasonal conditions in the coniferous forests of the northern zone, where the bulk of the Muscovites nest. Fluctuations in the number of offspring associated with meteorological and feeding seasonal conditions can also determine the number of migrating individuals. It rarely visits artificial feeders and almost never flies into populated areas.
The Muscovy nests in coniferous forests, mainly spruce, less often in mixed forests. She places her nest in the hollows of preferably coniferous trees, at a low height (often about 1 m). It often makes a nest in rotten stumps, less often between the bare roots of large trees. The size of the taphole is very small and, as a rule, does not exceed 25-30 mm in diameter.
The outer walls of its nest are made of moss and, if possible, horsehair; The inner tray is lined with wool, sometimes using bird feathers and cobwebs for this purpose.
Egg laying in Muscovites is usually observed in late April - early May. A complete clutch of Muscovy consists of 7-11 white eggs with reddish-brown specks densely located on the shell, often forming a corolla at the blunt end of the egg. Egg dimensions: 14 x 11 mm. Both females and males incubate the eggs for twelve to fourteen (up to sixteen) days. For about the same amount of time, the chicks spend full board with their parents, sitting in the nest. In early June, flight chicks appear. In mid-summer, many pairs of Muscovites have a second clutch, but it no longer contains more than 6-7 eggs.
Broods of Muscovites are very noisy and therefore clearly visible from afar, like other tits. Therefore, the squeak of a dozen young birds, in chorus demanding food from their parents, can be heard from afar. Later, at the end of summer, broods from different families unite together, and then the autumn flocks of Muscovites reach large sizes. Often a few Muscovites will temporarily join wandering flocks of tits, consisting of great tits, tufted tits, and other tits and chickadees. At the same time, Muscovites in these flocks prefer to stay somewhat aloof, flitting along the tops of coniferous trees after the flock, looking for prey.
Moskovka or black tit, the moss fly is one of the smallest birds living in the territory. The weight of this bird is only 7-10 grams, the body length is about 12 centimeters. A very nimble, active bird that sometimes inhabits the conifers of our country and is sometimes found in forest plantations and parks. Does not like to settle in populated areas, but can fly to feeders in search of food. In winter, they can live in whole flocks in parks and squares.
Origin of the species and description
Periparus ater Muscovy is a bird belonging to the order, family, genus Periparus, species Muscovy. The Moskovka belongs to the oldest order of passerine birds. The first passerines inhabited our planet back in the Eocene. Nowadays, the order of passerines is extremely numerous; it includes about 5,400 species.
These birds are widespread throughout the world. The species Periparus ater in our region is represented by 3 subspecies, two of which are included in the group of subspecies “phaeonotus”, these birds are distributed mainly in, in the Middle and. In the European part of our country, the subspecies R. a. ater.
Video: Moskovka
Muscovites are small, modestly colored birds. Females and males have the same color, sometimes the color of males can be a little brighter than that of females. On the bird’s face there is a kind of dark-colored “mask”, which is why the birds got their name. The upper part of the head is painted blue-silver with an olive tint, the underside of the bird is light.
There are brown feathers on the sides and undertail. From the line of the eyes to the throat and top of the breast, the color is white. There are small black spots on the chest, sides and under the wings. The wings and tail of the bird have a brownish tint. The beak is small and black. The head is round, the eyes are small, the iris of the eyes is dark. The limbs have four fingers, with claws at the ends. This species was first described by the scientist Carl Linnaeus in his work “System of Nature” in 1758.
Appearance and features
The Muscovy is very similar to ordinary tits, but Muscovites are still slightly different from other representatives of this family. These creatures are considered the smallest birds from the tit family. The size of the bird from beak to tail is about 11 cm, and the Muscovy weighs only 8-12 grams.
The beak is straight and small in size. The head is small and round in shape. A distinctive feature of these birds is their unusual coloring. The bird’s face has white “cheeks”. From the beak all over the head the color is dark. It seems as if there is a “mask” on the bird’s face, which is why the bird got its name.
When the Muscovy is excited, it raises the feathers on its forehead in the form of a small tuft. There is also a white spot on the top of the bird's head. The main color is gray and brown. The feathers on the head are black with a silver-blue tint. The feathers on the wings of the Muscovy are gray and have patterns in the form of white stripes. The tail consists of a bunch of flight feathers.
Males and females are practically indistinguishable in appearance. Juveniles have a color similar to adult birds. A dark blue, almost black cap with a brownish tint; on the cheeks at the back of the head, where there should be white spots, the color is yellowish. The stripes on the wings also have a yellowish tint.
The trills of these birds can be heard everywhere from mid-March to September. The Muscovite singing is quiet and their voice is squeaky. The song consists of two or three syllable phrases like: “teweeit”, “pii-tii” or “Si-Si-Si”. Females and males sing together. One bird can have up to 70 songs in its repertoire. Sometimes tits are used to teach canary birds to sing. In the wild, mossbirds live for about 8-9 years.
Interesting fact: Muscovites have excellent memory; they can remember places where food is located, people who feed the birds, and most importantly, after a long stay in unfamiliar places, these birds can find their nest and the places where they hid food.
Now you know what does a moscow bird look like. Let's see where the black tit lives.
Where does the Muscovite live?
Muscovites inhabit forested areas in the North. Also found in the Atlas Mountains region, Africa and. In the northern part of Eurasia, these birds can be found in and in the Russian north, in These birds inhabit in large numbers, the Ryazan region, and live in and in the northern part. And also these birds inhabit Turkey, the Caucasus, etc. Sometimes mosquitoes can be found on the island of Sicily, the British Isles, Honshu, Taiwan, and the Kuril Islands.
The Muscovite lives mainly in spruce forests. Sometimes a mixed forest can be chosen for living. If living in mountainous areas, nest on wooded slopes where pine and oak trees grow. Rarely settles at altitudes above 2000 meters above sea level, however, these birds have been spotted at an altitude of about 4500 m. Muscovites never sit still, and can explore new areas in search of food.
In places with a mild climate in the Caucasus and southern Russia, birds lead a sedentary lifestyle. These birds also often stay for the winter, moving to parks and squares in central Russia. Muscovites nest in the forest. These birds usually do not make seasonal migrations, however, in the absence of food or during a harsh winter, birds can make flock flights, exploring new territories.
Familiar places are usually used for nesting; in rare cases, they nest in new territories. The nest is made in a hollow or other natural cavity. Sometimes they can settle in an abandoned hole of small rodents. Due to the abundance of enemies in the wild, and the inability to fly long distances, Muscovites try to stay near trees and bushes.
What does a Muscovite eat?
Muscovy is very unpretentious when it comes to food. The bird's diet depends on the area in which the bird lives and the time of year. In spring and summer, birds eat more insects and plant foods; from mid-summer, birds switch to plant foods. In the winter season, Muscovites are content with seeds, rowan berries and what the birds have stored in the summer for the winter.
The main diet of a Muscovite includes:
- caterpillars;
- coniferous seeds;
- rowan berries, juniper;
- seeds of beech, sequoia, sycamore and other plants.
This bird also loves to eat juicy ripe fruits and nuts. Muscovites are excellent at climbing tree branches to get their food.
Interesting fact: Muscovites are very thrifty, and in the wild these birds work hard in the summer to make provisions for the winter. The bird makes a kind of “pantry” under the bark of trees, where it hides its supplies, protecting them from the snow. Often these reserves last the bird throughout the winter.
Birds that live near human habitation fly to the feeders and peck bread crumbs, nuts, and seeds. Although these birds are afraid of people, they quickly get used to those who feed them, remember the place where the feeder is located and fly back again.
Features of character and lifestyle
Muscovites, like many tits, are very active. They constantly move between trees, crawling along branches in search of food. They lead, do not like migrations and leave their usual habitats only in cases of lack of food or very bad weather conditions. Birds like to return to their usual places to nest.
Muscovites live in small flocks of 50-60 individuals, however, in Siberia and the conditions of the North, flocks of up to a thousand individuals have been recorded. Flocks are usually mixed, and Muscovites get along well with warblers, tufted tits, kinglets and pikas. During the nesting period, birds separate into pairs and build nests, populating a large area.
Tits are very good family men; they form pairs for almost their entire lives and care for their offspring for a long time. The birds have a calm character, the birds coexist peacefully within the flock, and there are usually no conflicts. Wild birds are afraid of people and try not to get close to people, however, in the winter season, harsh weather conditions force birds to move to cities and towns.
Birds quickly get used to people. If the Muscovy is kept in captivity, this bird very quickly gets used to humans. After only a week, the bird can begin to peck seeds from the owner’s hands, and over time, the bird can become completely tame. Tits are very trusting and easily get used to people.
Social structure and reproduction
The mating season for Muscovite women begins at the end of March. During this period, males begin to attract females with loud singing, which is heard everywhere. They also notify other males about where their territory is, marking its boundaries. In addition to singing, males show their readiness to start a family by beautifully soaring in the air.
During the courtship dance, the male fluffs out his tail and wings, while continuing to sing loudly. Choosing a place for the nest is the responsibility of the male, but the female arranges the home. The female builds a nest inside a narrow hollow, in a rock crevice or in an abandoned rodent burrow. Soft moss, feathers, and scraps of animal fur are used to build a nest.
Interesting fact: Females are very protective of their young; while the eggs are incubating, the female does not leave the nest for about two weeks.
In one summer, Muscovites manage to lay two clutches. The first clutch consists of 5-12 eggs and is formed in mid-April. The second clutch is formed in June and consists of 6-8 eggs. Muscovy eggs are white with brown speckles. Egg incubation lasts about two weeks. At the same time, the female incubates the eggs almost without leaving the clutch, and the male protects the family and obtains food for the female.
Small chicks are born covered with soft, gray down. The male brings food to the chicks, and the mother warms them and feeds them for another 4 days, and later begins to get food for the cubs together with the male, leaving the chicks in the nest. The chicks begin to fly away from the nest at the age of 22 days, and having learned to fly, the young can spend the night in the nest for some time, later the young chicks fly away from the nest, flocking with other birds.
Natural enemies of Muscovites
Birds' nests are destroyed by martens, foxes and cats, so birds try to build nests in places inaccessible to these predators. They choose hollows and crevices with a narrow entrance so that predators do not get into them.
Most Muscovites die not from the clutches of predators, but from harsh environmental conditions. Birds do not tolerate cold well; in winter, wild birds often die of hunger without finding food, especially during snowy winters, when their reserves are covered with snow. To survive the winter, birds move to cities in small flocks. People can save many of these cute birds by simply hanging a bird feeder on a tree and bringing in some grain and bread crumbs.
Population and species status
Periparus ater is currently classified as a species of least concern. The population of this species of birds is the most numerous; birds densely inhabit the forests of Eurasia and North Africa. It is extremely difficult to track the population size of these birds, as the birds live in mixed flocks and can fly, exploring new areas. Since Muscovites love to settle in spruce and mixed forests, in many areas of our country the population of this species is decreasing due to deforestation.
For example, in the Moscow region the population of these birds has decreased significantly. The moskovka is listed in Moscow and the species is assigned category 2, a rare species in the territory of Moscow with a declining population. Only about 10-12 pairs nest in Moscow. Perhaps the birds simply don’t like the noise of a big city, and they choose quieter areas to live.
Due to the decrease in the population of these birds in Moscow and the region, measures have been taken to protect the birds:
- known bird nesting sites are located in specially protected areas;
- parks and green areas are being developed throughout the metropolis;
- ornithologists monitor the population of these birds in Moscow and create comfortable conditions for their life.
In general, the species is numerous throughout the country; the birds feel good in the wild and reproduce quickly; the species does not require special protection.
Moskovka very useful bird. These birds are real forest orderlies who destroy beetles and insects that harm plants and are carriers of various diseases. Birds treat people well, and in winter they can fly to cities in search of food. It is in our power to make sure that these birds live comfortably next to us. They simply need to be fed at a time when in their natural environment the birds have nothing to feed on.
Appearance.
The dorsal side is gray, the head is black with white cheeks (limited below by black) and the back of the head, the abdomen is light gray without a black longitudinal stripe. The current name “Moskovka” most likely comes from the old name “maskovka”, i.e. tit with a mask on its “face”.
The song is “tsi-pi” or “ti-ti-tyuy”, the cry is a subtle “tsit”.
Habitat.
Lives in coniferous, less often dense mixed forests. Rarely visits feeders and almost never flies into populated areas.
Nutrition.
It feeds on insects and prefers spruce seeds in winter.
Nesting sites.
It nests in coniferous forests, mainly spruce, less often in mixed forests.
Nest location.
The nest is placed in hollows of preferably coniferous trees, at a low height (often about 1 m). It often makes a nest in rotten stumps, sometimes between the roots.
Nest building material.
The outer walls of the nest are made of moss and horsehair; internal ones are made of wool, sometimes feathers and cobwebs.
Shape and dimensions of the nest.
The size of the taphole is very small and, as a rule, does not exceed 25-30 mm in diameter.
Features of masonry.
A clutch of 7-11 white eggs with reddish-brown speckles, often forming a rim at the blunt end. Egg dimensions: 14 x 11 mm.
Nesting dates.
Egg laying is observed in late April - early May. Incubation lasts 14-16 days, and feeding of the chicks in the nest lasts 16-17 days. In early June, flight chicks appear. The Muscovy bird hatches chicks twice a summer. The second clutch occurs in June.
Spreading.
Distributed throughout almost the entire forest zone of the European part of Russia, except for northern Siberia.
Wintering. Resident bird.
Description of Buturlin. Moskovka- one of the most little ones representatives of the entire tit family. The length of the male is only about 11 centimeters, and the female is even smaller. This is a fidgety, rather short-tailed bird with somewhat bristly feathers on its head. She is predominantly dark gray and black coloring, but the belly is light, with reddishness on the sides), and the cheeks are bright white. They especially stand out because they are surrounded by black. The head on top and the back of the head on the sides are velvety black. The same bright black coloring is found on the throat and chest in the form of a large shirtfront. There is a white spot on the back of the head. The back, wings and tail are bluish-gray, darker and browner on the flight feathers and tail feathers. There are two white stripes on the wings (from the white spots at the ends of the coverts). The young ones in the nesting feathers are noticeably duller than the old ones (their white areas are yellowish), but they already have all the basic colors of their parents.
Despite its seemingly narrowly local name, Moskovka is widely widespread not only in Russia, but throughout Western Europe, northwestern Africa, Asia Minor and Central Asia. In the European part of Russia, it lives from the Far North (forests of the Kola Peninsula) south to approximately the border of large forests. In the Lower Volga and Ukraine it is found only in autumn and winter, but lives sedentary in the mountains of Crimea, the Caucasus and Southern Siberia (Altai, Sayan, Khingan). To the east, its distribution area extends to the Sea of Okhotsk throughout the taiga of Siberia. In many geographical areas (for example, in the Crimea, the Caucasus, and Asian mountainous regions), Muscovite detects subspecies differences in the degree of reddishness of the lower part of the chest (for example, the red-breasted Kazakhstani subspecies) and the shades of the upper side of the body (Highland Asian ones are darker). In addition, the size of the body and parietal crest is variable.
The distribution of Muscovy in forest areas of Russia depends on its obvious affinity for coniferous species. Old mossy spruce forests with half-rotten hollow trunks of individual deciduous trees are the most favorite habitats these birds. And on the mountains they stay in the coniferous forest zone (in Crimea also in beech groves).
In the Kostroma and Vologda forests you can constantly hear their loud cries of “tyu-pi...” and thin tit whistling. Here and there, these nimble birds swarm around large fir trees, hanging in all sorts of positions from branches and cones, flashing their white cheeks. Together with the kinglets, they scour the trees in search of small ones. insects, mainly weevils, bark beetles and even small hairy caterpillars (birds pluck out their soft insides). In winter, Muscovites do not disdain spruce seeds. Holding the seed between its fingers, the bird, with frequent blows of its small beak, crushes the shell and eats away the contents.
From early spring, loud noises are heard through the forests. songs males - a two- or three-syllable cry, repeated many times in a row. In structure, the song is quite similar to the song of a great tit, but its tone is higher and noticeably more hasty (“tyupi-ti, tyupi-ti, tyupi-ti...” or “cog, cog...”).
eggs
there are up to 10-11 pieces. Their coloring is typically titmouse - with a white main background, densely covered with distinct reddish-brown small spots (the eggs are about 15 millimeters long). Both sexes incubate for twelve to fourteen days, and the chicks sit in the nest for the same amount of time. During the summer, many couples have a second clutch, but no more than 6-7 eggs.
The broods of Muscovites are as noisy and noticeable as those of other tits. Squeak of ten young, a chorus of people begging for food from old people, can be heard from afar. You can get very close to the whole family. Later, in August, individual broods join together, and autumn flocks of Muscovites sometimes reach large sizes. More often, several birds temporarily join wandering flocks consisting of great tits, tufted tits and chickadees. But even in these flocks, Muscovites keep somewhat aloof, preferring, like kinglets, to rummage through coniferous trees and flutter along their tops after the flock.
These tits migrations are more developed, and in some places there is even a real migration in the fall (from August). In winter, Muscovites fly to the steppe Ukraine, and from Siberia to Central Asia. But it’s remarkable that the number of birds varies greatly from year to year. Thus, near the city of Yaroslavl in 1900, 1903, 1904, 1911 there were large autumn migrations, and in 1899, 1907, 1912 - very weak (observations by S. Pashchenko for 30 years). Sometimes the increase in numbers persists for two autumns in a row. Other years (1886, 1891, 1896, 1905) there was no flight at all. Similar fluctuations were observed in the former Tula and Ryazan provinces. These fluctuations are noticeable especially clearly only in the central regions of the European part of Russia and probably depend on local seasonal conditions in the coniferous forests of the northern zone, where the bulk of Muscovites nest. Fluctuations in the number of offspring associated with meteorological and feeding seasonal conditions (summer weather, number of insects) can also determine the number of migrating individuals. However, careful observations in different places are still needed to fully elucidate the causes of this phenomenon.
Muscovy tit - The Muscovy tit bird is considered the smallest tit, its weight is only 9 g. Its back is bluish-gray, its head is black with white cheeks, white spots are clearly visible on its wings, and there is a large black spot on its throat. The abdomen is bluish-gray with a brownish coating.
Moscow tit – description of the bird, photos and videos
The distribution zone of the Muscovy bird is the forests of Europe, Asia and the mountain forests of North-West Africa. It leads a sedentary lifestyle only in warm habitats, and in northern, colder habitats, it is a migratory bird.
Muscovy lives in coniferous (spruce) forests. It makes nests in abandoned woodpecker hollows, or in naturally formed hollows in old trees. Sometimes it settles in titmouses with a narrow round entrance.
During the season, the female Muscovy lays eggs twice. The first clutch contains 8-11 eggs, and the second clutch contains 7-9 eggs. Muscovy eggs are white with red-brown speckles.
The female incubates the eggs for about two weeks, and the male feeds her during this time. He brings her food about 2-3 times per hour. Both parents are involved in feeding and raising the chicks. They continue to feed the chicks that have grown up and left the nest for about another week.
Muscovites feed mainly on coniferous trees. They remove seeds from under the scales of cones, hanging from them. They also feed on eggs and larvae of insects, spiders, looking for them on spruce trees.
Often, at the end of summer and autumn, the Muscovy tit stores food for future use, hiding spruce seeds and captured insects in the forks of branches and in crevices of the bark. In winter and early spring, when there is not enough food, Muscovites look for their pantries and eat the stored supplies.
These birds are considered useful for the forest: most of the food they eat is pests of coniferous trees (spruce and pine). Since these birds always have enough food, they feel great and their numbers are constantly growing.
There are very cold winters, down to minus 40 degrees, then Muscovy tits die in the forests from frost, and the bravest ones, who were able to overcome the distance and fly closer to people, tolerate the cold quite calmly, returning in the spring again to their favorite places - to coniferous and pine forests.
Moscow tit video
