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"The Red-winged Blackbird"


Photo Information
Copyright: Jorge Chemas (jchemas) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 553 W: 30 N: 749] (3396)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-08-20
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 300D, Canon 100-400L 4.5-5.6 IS USM, uv haze
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-11-21 8:18
Viewed: 3671
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Red-winged Blackbird

One of the most abundant birds in North America with an estimated population of 250 million, the Red-winged Blackbirds are somewhat smaller than an American Robin (approximately 7.5 to 9.5 inches in length). Males are glossy black everywhere except on the epaulets, or shoulders, of the wing. The epaulets are scarlet (the lesser wing coverts) bordered with a buff or yellowish color (the greater wing coverts). The Red-winged Blackbird is found in wetlands, agricultural areas across the continent and around the cities. The black male can hide the brilliant red shoulders or show them off in a dazzling display. The striped female looks strikingly different than the male and could almost be mistaken for a large dark sparrow. Male black with red shoulders, female brown and striped all over.
The Red-winged Blackbird is a highly polygamous species, with one male having up to 15 different females making nests in his territory. The male Red-winged Blackbird fiercely defends his territory during the breeding season. He may spend more than a quarter of all the daylight hours in territory defense. He vigorously keeps all other males out of the territory and defends the nests from predators. He will attack much larger animals, including horses and people. In some populations 90% of territorial males have more than one female. But, from one quarter to up to half of the young in "his" nests do not belong to the territorial male. Instead they have been sired by neighboring males.
The Red-winged Blackbird forms roosting congregations in all months of the year. In the summer it will roost in small numbers at night in the wetlands where it forages and breeds. In winter, it can form huge congregations of several million birds, which congregate in the evening and spread out each morning. Some may travel as far as 80 km (50 mi) between the roosting and feeding sites. It commonly shares its winter roost with other blackbird species and European Starlings.

Characteristics
• Medium-sized songbird.
• Moderately long and slender bill.
• Tail of medium length.
• Male plumage is well described by the name.
• Size: 17-23 cm (7-9 in)
• Wingspan: 31-40 cm (12-16 in)
• Weight: 32-77 g (1.13-2.72 ounces)

Other Names
Carouge à épaulettes (French)
Tordo alirrojo, Tordo capitán, Mayito de la ciénaga, Sargento (Spanish)

HOPE YOU LIKE IT.

Thanks for visiting me and thanks in advance for your comments/critiques

JC
Alex99, vanderschelden, horia, dew77, SkyF, coasties has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Witaj Jorge!
Jak dobrze zrozumialam jest to pewien gatunek kosa. Niezwykle piekne zdjecie. Ostrosc piorek, dziobka i calego ptaszka jest znakomita. Kadr i uczwycona poza ptaszka bardzo do mnie przemawia. Dziekuje za mile wrazenia i wyczerpujacy opis.
Gratuluje i pozdrawiam - Roma

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 2232 W: 10 N: 2971] (16891)
  • [2006-11-21 9:28]

Hola Jorge, un disparo muy bueno, con un pose muy original, el encuadre y pov, agradables. saludos

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2006-11-21 11:20]

Hi Jorge.
Perfect executed shot and very nice image of this beautiful bird. You have reproduced the details and the colours of the bird and tree branch excellently. I like the cropping and composition of your shot very much too also as well as the illumination of the blackbird. My compliments and TFS.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1127 W: 254 N: 3161] (14464)
  • [2006-11-21 13:11]

Hi Jorge,

A nice composition of this colorull bird,it has a good pov,sharpness,details and colors are well presented,

well done and TFS

Paul

Hi Jorge,
Good compo, POV, DOF,....
Well done
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2006-11-21 13:46]

Hi JC

A very simple yet effective composition eith this beautiful blackbird.
The strong light is very well managed here, the colors are lovely (the bird's and the sky as well), nice POV, excellent DOF and great sharpness.
I also like the faming, which i thik it fit very well.
Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4432 W: 248 N: 4028] (13270)
  • [2006-11-21 15:39]

Hello Jorge,
Wonderful capture.POV,catchlight in eyes,details on black feathers,pose of bird and framing a lot.
TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2234 W: 188 N: 1912] (8073)
  • [2006-11-21 22:23]

Hello Jorge,
beautiful bird and the plumage is so detailed. You captured it very well. Lovely light and great pose.
excellent composition.
TFS..Sky

Hi Jorge

Nice POV here. Looks like the sun was quite bright but you have managed the exposure well. Nice head turn pose. Nice work. TFS.

  • Great 
  • Isu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 313 W: 0 N: 21] (1663)
  • [2006-11-22 11:08]

Saludos jchemas, perfecto encuadre,colores nitidos,me encanta. Sira

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 955 W: 0 N: 89] (7805)
  • [2006-11-24 11:55]

Hi Jorge
Good POV and shot. Good colours, sharpnes, details and DOF.
well done

osse

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