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Wake up call


Wake up call
Photo Information
Copyright: Gerhard Theron (gerhardt) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1936 W: 244 N: 4106] (11620)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-08-14
Categories: Birds
Camera: Minolta Dimage Z1
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/640 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Birds of Southern Africa, Things in and around my house., Ibis (family Threskiornithidae), Threskiornithidae (Ibises & Spoonbills) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-08-14 7:52
Viewed: 6567
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hadeda Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash)
A noisy and distinctive large bird, with a long down-curved bill. Size 76 cm, somewhat larger than a guinea fowl.

Hadedas are greyish- or grey-brown birds with blackish wing- and tail feathers. In certain light, an attractive metallic purple or greenish sheen is visible on the wing coverts. The bill is blackish, with a red line on the top of the upper bill. The legs and feet are grey, with a line of red scales running down the front of the legs and the tops of the toes.

Hadedas are very well known in the urban areas, due mainly to their very loud, raucous calls which are usually given on take off or in flight. They are common and familiar birds of gardens, sports fields and parks in the urban areas, and are also found in woodland, forest and grasslands. They usually occur in pairs or small groups, but in the non-breeding season often gather in larger numbers to feed, or at roost sites, where it can be very noisy.

The call is a loud, raucous Hah - hah - hah de dah, uttered from a perch, or while in flight.

Hadedas feed on insects, worms, spiders, crustaceans, small reptiles and snails. Prey is located by probing the sensitive bill into soft ground.

The Hadeda nests mainly in late winter and early summer. The nest is a flimsy platform of sticks, lined with grass and lichens. It is usually situated on the horizontal branch of a large tree. Unlike the other ibis species, Hadedas nest solitarily.

The species is not threatened; the RSA population has expanded its distribution range considerably with changes in Land-use and is now largely commensal with humans. The species has invaded suburban areas.

I come back from the Hennenman Mall earlier today (lol) and found this specimen on my lawn. I’ve been waiting nearly a year to get this close to capture a nice photo showing the colours in the light.
japie, nwoehnl, AndyB, ellis49, carper, RAP has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1101 W: 95 N: 2610] (7555)
  • [2004-08-14 10:50]

Gerhard
I am waiting longer now to get the irridescence on the wings. This is a very nice picture and shows him veery well. This is originally a forest species, hence the loud call. We say these birds suffer vrom vertigo, they always give these horrible yells when flying.

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2004-08-14 11:08]

I hope that you do not have irrigation pipes close to this guy - you might just have an additional sprinkler! :) Your lawn must look great in summer! This is a great shot of this common bird displaying the colorful tint on the wings. I usually find them between me and the sun. Very nice post

Very nice one, Gerhard - captured in a very interesting pose that makes him fill the frame well, and allows the viewer to study the glossy-looking detail on the plumage. I also like the sparkle in his eye, and the contrasting colors. Well done.

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1366 W: 32 N: 1351] (3982)
  • [2004-08-14 17:03]

A very good capture.
Nice composition and good colourful detail.
I like the shimmer on the wing surface.
I'm very envious of your lawn too!
The only visitors we seem to get on ours are slugs and snails :0)

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-08-14 17:55]

I love the pearl effect on the bird's wing. Very nice compo and good detail. Well done.

Very nice one Gerhard.
Nice composition and very colorful, good details on the plumage.
Good note
Well done

I never seen this bird before,
I love the colours of it, the composition is okee, the note is great again, very good job Gerhardt.

Raro especimen Gerhard.
Muy buena perspectiva y colorido.
Tal vez la parte superior de la imagen podria ser menor.
Instructiva nota tambien.
Bien hecho.
Me atreví a realizar un trabajo... espero sea de tu agrado.

Rare specimen Gerhard.
Very good colorful and perspective.
Perhaps the superior area of the image could be smaller.
Instructive note also.
Well done.
I dared to make a workshop... I hope you like it.

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