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Saffron Finch


Saffron Finch
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: 2013-09-20
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D90, Sigma 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO, Digital RAW
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/800 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2014-07-25 7:14
Viewed: 1682
Points: 31
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola) is a tanager from South America that is common in open and semi-open areas in lowlands outside the Amazon Basin. They have a wide distribution in Colombia, northern Venezuela (where it is called "canario de tejado" or "roof canary"), western Ecuador, western Peru, eastern and southern Brazil (where it is called "canário da terra" or "native canary"), Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, northern Argentina, and Trinidad and Tobago. It has also been introduced to Hawaii, Puerto Rico and elsewhere. Although commonly regarded as a canary, it is not related to the Atlantic canary. Formerly, it was placed in the Emberizidae but it is close to theseedeaters.

It is 13,5 – 14 cm.
The male is bright yellow with an orange crown which distinguishes it from most other yellow finches (the exception being the orange-fronted yellow finch). The females are more confusing and are usually just a slightly duller version of the male, but in the southern subspecies S. f. pelzelni they are olive-brown with heavy dark streaks.

The voice is a vigorous song in variable series of lively, well-enunciated notes and short phrases: “tsip, tsee-tit, tsee,tseeti, tsee, tsee, tseeti”.

Typically nesting in cavities, the saffron finch makes use of sites such as abandoned rufous hornero (Furnarius rufus) nests, bamboo branches and under house roofs - this species is tolerant of human proximity, appearing at suburban areas and frequenting bird tables. They have a pleasant but repetitious song which, combined with their appearance, has led to them being kept as caged birds in many areas. Males are polygamous, mating with two females during the nesting season, and territorial, which has led to the species being used for blood sporting with two males put in a cage in order to fight. (disgusting!!!)

Sources:
*Wikipedia
*Birds of Brazil: The Pantanal & Cerrado of Central Brazil by John A Gwynne, Robert S. Ridgely, Guy Tudor and Martha Argel.
ellis49, Cobo, Hotelcalifornia, cobra112, oscarromulus, CeltickRanger, kinglove, imageme, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To CeltickRanger: Glad you're backPeterZ 1 07-26 02:34
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Peter,
first I thought it was a Yellow Hammer. Quite similar. Never heard of the beauty before.
Very fine picture with all kinds of fine yellow tones.
Nice sharpness with fine details. And a accurate WB,
Well done , my friend.
Regards
Gert

hallo Peter
Dit is ook weer een super plaatje
die kleuren en de super scherpte maken het weer goed
bedankt gr lou

  • Great 
  • Cobo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 236 W: 1 N: 535] (5799)
  • [2014-07-25 7:42]

Very nice picture of this Saffron finch Peter. First time to me to se this species. Thank you for sharing it and congratulation. SAludos.

Hello Peter-Beautiful coloured species this Saffron Finch.Well captured.Nice POV with good light.Nice plumage too.Thanks for sharing your work with us.Regards and have a nice time-Srikumar

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2014-07-25 9:03]

Hi Peter.Absolutely perfect! A great capture of this saffron finch despite the difficult location,the best DOF for the best detail and very bright colors too!Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano.

White dots on black plumge.Beak(mainly upper)not as clear and sharp as eye!!!SATISFACTORY!

Very good contrast and details. Brigh colours. Well done Peter.

Roberto

Ciao Peter, lovelybird in nice pose, wonderful colors, fine details and splendid sharpness, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

Peter,
P.E.R.F.E.C.T.I.O.N.
Outstanding notes too.
We did see this species in Hawaii; and, at that time I noted that it did not sing like the Canaries from Terceira, Azores. Could not figure it out??? NOW WE KNOW BETTER THANKS TO YOU.
Best regards,
Mario.

Hello Peter

Great photo of the Saffron Finch, you shoot it at the best moment of the bird's pose
obtaining a dynamic pose, great DOF, focus, sharpness, and details, and a fine POV
obtaining its beautiful eye-contact, TFS

Asbed

Hello Peter,
照的很漂亮 很美麗的黃色小鳥 也很清晰
光線亮麗 神情可愛
構圖也很美麗 真是好看
謝謝分享
STONE

  • Great 
  • iti Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 577 W: 0 N: 650] (7939)
  • [2014-07-26 10:40]

Hi Peter,
Beautiful colored bird.
Beautiful color rendition and sharpness details.
Regards Jiri.

Hi Peter, A details note about this bird species. Perfect focus along with great details along with great light. He is showing off his singing i guess. Thank for sharing
Anna

  • Great 
  • john1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 122 W: 0 N: 439] (3410)
  • [2014-07-30 6:00]

Hi Peter,

I like the view of this beautiful bird, his yellow plumage and texture of its wings.
The détails and the sharpness are perfect for the composition, TFS.
TFS.
My best regards.
John vantighem

Hi Peter,

The bird is well placed on the frame. The point of view is showing with precision the details and the colors of the Saffron Finch. The good luminosity is enhancing the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2014-08-03 10:12]

Hello Peter,
What a colorful little finch you present to us. I love the rich yellow colors in it's plumage, this is a color I always have trouble with. Looks like you found this one foraging for seeds on the ground. Nice low POV while showing excellent facial features along with that ever sought after catchlight in it's eye.
Ron

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