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White-bellied Sunbird


White-bellied Sunbird
Photo Information
Copyright: Jan Hendrik van Rooyen (janhendrik) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 363 W: 58 N: 667] (2392)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-04
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds of Southern Africa II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-04-25 8:19
Viewed: 6915
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
White-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris Talatala)

This picture of a juvenile white-bellied sunbird was taken in the Hilltop camp in the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game reserve in Natal. It was busy feeding on the flower which is evident from all the pollen on its head. I hope you like it.

A small sunbird, in which the male has brilliant blue-green upperparts and a white belly. Size 11cm - much smaller than a sparrow. Afrikaans: Witpensuikerbekkie

As with other sunbirds the bill is long and decurved. The bill, legs and feet are black. The eye is dark brown. The male has a metallic blue green head, throat and back.

The lower breast and belly is white, and the border between the metallic green on the upper breast and the white, is a line of metallic purple - only visible in good light. The female is brownish grey above and greyish white below, with some indistinct streaks on the breast. The belly and flanks are off-white.

A common species of acacia bushveld, drier woodland and some areas, parks and gardens. It is usually solitary or in pairs, and males in particular often call from a high exposed perch. This is a very active and restless bird, seldom sitting still for very long. It may gathers in numbers around flowering trees, where is often seen in association with other sunbird species.

It subsists on nectar of many indigenous and exotic plant species. It is particularly fond of aloes and mistletoes.

This is a highly vocal bird, calling much of the time that they are active. The most characteristic call consists of 1-7 strident notes: chewy-chewy-chewy. Also utters loud chak-chak-chak alarm notes.

The White-bellied Sunbird breeds mainly from August to December. The nest is an oval of grass, leaves and plant down, bound together with spider webs. It has a side top entrance with a little porch, and is lined with plant down and feathers.

SOURCE: White-bellied Sunbird

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 20D
Camera mode: Aperture priority
Time of day: 10H46
Date: 4 April 2007
Lens: Canon 100-400mm IS USM
Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec
F-Stop: F/5.6
Focal Length: 400mm
Support: Hand Held
ISO: 100
Original file type: Raw (CR2)
deblink, Bufo, jaycee, Argus, Luis52, joey, Maite, metcher, SunToucher, SkyF has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To vanderschelden: Krugerjanhendrik 1 04-26 07:18
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Critiques [Translate]

This is a superb looking bird Jan as is the image of it. I love its beak that is shaped to get right into the flowers. A beautiful image especially with the beautiful flower to compliment it.
Cheers,
Debbie

good focus and nice colors. the out of focus flower in the front is a nice touch.

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2007-04-25 10:45]

WOW!
Absolutely amazing capture!
Sharp, detailed, well composed, colourful, great POV and overall simply fantastic shot.
Very well done,
Joey

  • Great 
  • Bufo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 404 W: 69 N: 951] (4247)
  • [2007-04-25 10:49]

Hi Jan Hendrik,
this is a very nice capture of the sunbird. Razorsharp!
Thanks for sharing,
JAcob

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2007-04-25 11:36]

Hello Jan Hendrik,
Fine sharp capture of a young male White-bellied Sunbird: he is just acquiring adult plumage. Fine bokeh BG and pleasing compo.
TFS and best wishes, Ivan

Hi Jan Hendrik,
Long time ago;-)
This is a party in terms of colours and especially detail and sharpness. Great quality.
Very beautiful bird and...image.
Can it be seen in the Kruger as well?
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 586 W: 12 N: 1682] (6165)
  • [2007-04-25 13:47]

Hello Jan, what a wonderful capture, just perfect, congrats..

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2007-04-25 14:31]

Hello Jan Hendrik,
Fantastic sharp photo of this juvenile sunbird.
Very beautiful colours. Nice composition and POV.
Very special is the yellow pollen on his head.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1175 W: 8 N: 4240] (15809)
  • [2007-04-25 21:47]

Hola Jan.- Bella imagen de este Pajaro con su pico curvo. Muy nitida y con exelente fondo. Aqui tenemos algunos similares en Mexico. Con picos curvos tambien pero difieren en el color de sus plumas. Saludos Luis52.

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2007-04-26 3:05]

Hello Jan Hendrik,
What a sharp sharp shot of this beautiful bird.
Every detail is crystal clear, and the beak is fantastic.
I like the pose and the way it is standing out against the lovely BG.
TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2007-04-26 6:46]

Hi Jan,
Really superb capture of this sunbird. The frame the colors and the POV is really excellent. In total an excellent capture.
ganesh

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2007-04-26 6:50]

Stunning sharpness Jan. I like the colours and especially the blue patches on his feathers. Well done
Janice

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 998 W: 65 N: 1270] (5199)
  • [2007-04-26 7:20]

WOW! What a marvel of shot, Jan!!
The bird is really curious and beautiful, and the flowers on the close-up give an extra point to the composition. Sharpness, DOF, light, colours, exposure... Everything is great!
A master piece!
Congratulations and thanks for sharing.
Greetings
Maite

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2007-04-26 10:38]

Hi Jan,

Wonderful shot of a bird I have never seen. Colors, details, pose, composition, setting - all marvelous.

Out of smiles - tomorrow.

Jane

bonjour jan hendrik
le rendu de cet objectif canon est vraiment de tres haute qualité,le piqué est parfait.
belles couleur et bon POV.
felicitations.
laurent

Hi, Jan Hendrik.
Nice shot. Excellent quality on bird. Beautiful colors and BG.

Hi Jan Hendrik,
What a very beautiful photo. You not only captured the bird in an awesome post, you also captured it in a stunning setting. The entire composition with the diagonal branche and the wonderful flower, make the photo magnificent. Sharpness, colors and DOF are spot on.
TFS this beauty.
Niek

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2234 W: 188 N: 1912] (8073)
  • [2007-05-11 8:31]

Hello Jan Hendrick,
what a great portfolio of birds you haver, hard to choose were to start.
This one is great, very interesting how the beak curves.
Excellent capture, razor sharp and the details are so lovely.
Very well composed, very nice POV and the placement of the bird is excellent.
TFS..Sky

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