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Black-headed Bunting


Black-headed Bunting
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter van Zoest (PeterZ) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2015-05-17
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D90, Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, Digital RAW
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/1000 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2015-08-04 7:31
Viewed: 1837
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala) is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae.

It breeds in south-east Europe east to Iran and migrates in winter mainly to India, with some individuals moving further into south-east Asia. Like others in its family, it is found in open grassland habitats where they fly in flocks in search of grains and seed.

Description
This bird is 15 cm long, larger than Reed Bunting, and long-tailed. The breeding male has bright yellow underparts, chestnut upperparts and a black hood. The female is a washed-out version of the male, with paler underparts, a grey-brown back and a greyish head. The juvenile is similar but the vent is yellow, and both can be difficult to separate from the corresponding plumages of the closely related Red-headed Bunting although the black-headed tends to have the cheeks darker than the throat. First year males have a grey crown and the back has patches of chestnut and grey.

Habitat and distribution
The Black-headed Bunting breeds in open scrubby areas including agricultural land. In winter they move to Asia and large flocks are found in agricultural fields and grasslands. The longest migration noted from a ringed individual is about 7,000 km. Another ringed bird was determined to have flown 1,000 km in seven days. Males form pure flocks during migration and arrive in the winter quarters well before the females.

Behaviour and ecology
They breed in summer, building a nest in a low bush or on the ground. The nest is a cup made of dry grass and lined with hair. The clutch consists of four to six eggs. The eggs hatch after about 13 days and the chicks fledge after about 10 days. Its natural food consists of insects when feeding young, and otherwise seeds.
Like the Red-headed Bunting but unlike many other Emberiza buntings, it has two moults in a year. It undergoes one moult in the winter quarters prior to migrating back to the breeding region, and another after breeding. Young birds fledge with a soft plumage and then moult into a juvenile plumage before migrating and then assume an adult plumage after moulting in their winter quarters.

In winter their call is a single note tweet or soft zrit. The song consists of a loud series of strophes each made up a high harsh notes that accelerate into a jangling mix with some clear slurred notes interspersed before stopping abruptly.

Source: Wikipedia
ramthakur, shaukatmi, Hotelcalifornia, CeltickRanger, marius-secan, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Remarkable point of view, Peter.
Superb view of features and colours of this attractive Bunting.
The blue sky makes a wonderful background.
Thanks and regards.
Ram

Hi, Peter. Lovely capture of this black headed bunting. This is a beautiful composition and a portrait with excellent clarity and exposure. The blue sky also makes the perfect background. Thanks for sharing.

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2015-08-04 9:40]

Hello Peter,
Great capture of this beautiful Bunting in a lovely pose. Excellent light and colours and very sharp details. I like the colour of the soft blue background too.Regards Sigi

Hello Peter,
Beautiful bird. Well captured against such blue sky. Nice light and good sharpness.
Thanks for sharing,
Regards,
Srikumar

hallo Peter
super mooie compositie zo hoog in de boom genomen
goed van scherpte en prachtige kleuren
bedankt weer
gr lou

  • Great 
  • senn Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 58 W: 2 N: 155] (1384)
  • [2015-08-04 10:40]

lovely bunting take here Peter, .. like the pose, colours and compo; .. well done mate

regards,
nuri :)

Ciao Peter, great capture of lovely bird in nice pose, wonderful colors, splendid sharpness and fine details, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2015-08-04 12:12]

Hi Peter,a beautiful capture of this passerine in a nice pose,great sharpness and bright colors in the warm light of sunset,i like it! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

Hello Peter

Beautiful photo of this species of bunting, fine lateral POV,
in a very beautiful light and warm color tones, as usual
the catch-light rendering the photo more beautiful, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2015-08-04 18:45]

Hello Peter,
A gorgeous and stunning bird to say the least. Love the rich array of warm colors in it's plumage. Captured in an attractive relaxed pose and displaying good eye contact with just a tad bit of catch light. Well done!!
Ron

Hello Peter,
What a beauty. You have a great luck to find this nice specie....Excellent colors and details. Lovely composition with the bird in contrast to the blue sky.
Marius.

Hi Peter.

The leaves are helping to frame the bird. The point of view is showing the details of the Black-headed Bunting. The good luminosity is bringing out the colors. Have a nice dya.

Pierre

Hello Peter,
This also Nice shot. Fantastic colours.
Regards,
Biswarup

  • Great 
  • mishe Gold Star Critiquer [C: 110 W: 0 N: 3] (1076)
  • [2015-09-19 2:06]

Hallo Peter.
Colors,sharpness and light are fantastic.Congratulations.
Thanks for sharing.
With best wishes,Mishe.

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