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Tree Sparrow


Tree Sparrow
Photo Information
Copyright: Fatih Sam (fthsm) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 172 W: 56 N: 512] (3689)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-11-14
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 30D, Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): sparrow, Sahalin Birds, !Birds of a Feather [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-01-07 15:44
Viewed: 5063
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) tr:Ağaç Serçesi

Tree Sparrow is spread over most of Europe and Siberia, and allied forms occur in other parts of Asia. It has been introduced to Australia. In the United States (where it is known as the Eurasian Tree Sparrow to differentiate it from the native, unrelated American Tree Sparrow), German immigrants introduced it to the area around St. Louis in the 1870s. From there, it has slowly expanded its range into Illinois and Missouri. Changes in farming methods have meant that species is declining in some parts of western Europe.
This 12.5–14 cm long bird is often confused with the larger House Sparrow, but its rich brown, almost coppery head, a black patch on its white cheeks, and a double white wing bar, together its slighter and more graceful build, are distinctive. The sexes are practically alike, an important specific character.
The crown and nape are rich chestnut, and on the white cheeks and ear-coverts there is a triangular black patch; the chin and throat are black. Two distinct though narrow white bars cross the brown wings. In summer the bill is lead-blue, in winter almost black. The legs are pale brown and the irides hazel.
The Tree Sparrow is rural in Europe, but replaces its relative as a town bird in parts of Asia. It used to be considered as the national bird of the Philippines, and locally called maya. In Australia, it is found in some rural and semi-rural districts, but not cities. The small American population is sometimes referred to as "German Sparrows", to distinguish it from the native species as well as the vast numbers of "English" House Sparrows.
Its voice is more shrill; the call is a shorter chip, than the House Sparrow's and the song, consisting of modulated chirps, is musical.
Though occasionally nesting in isolated trees, it is a gregarious bird at all seasons, and a grove of old trees with a plentiful supply of hollows, or a disused quarry, are favourite sites for the colony ; what it likes is a hole in which to put its untidy nest, composed of hay, grass, wool or other material and lined with feathers.
Some of the nests are not actually in holes in rock, but are built among roots of overhanging furze or other bushes. The haunts of man are not always shunned, for old thatch in a barn or cottage will shelter a colony. A domed nest, like that of the House Sparrow, is sometimes built in the old nest of a Magpie or other bird.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_sparrow

One more note: I never saw a house sparrow in Yuzhno (Sakhalin city)and forests. There are so many tree sparrows but no house sparrow. A city without house sparrows is a bit interesting for me :)
Juyona, coasties, meyerd, Shoot_Score has marked this note useful
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To vanderschelden: thanksfthsm 1 01-07 15:55
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Critiques [Translate]

Good image; cute and cold:-)
I'm starting to miss sparrows you know. There were a lot when I was young and now...gone! Really strange.
Good image; especially the details.
TFS
Annick

Very good sharp colors..
Sad winter peisage..

Best regards,
Sandu

Hello Fatih,
This is a very good capture of this Sparrow. Details, composition and POV are excellent. I'm amazed to see how Sparrow look the same thing every where in the world ;) Thanks,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 2232 W: 10 N: 2971] (16891)
  • [2007-01-07 17:40]

Magníficos detalles, bello retrato y compo... me gusta este fenomenal momento... saludos Fatih

Lovely shot of this small bird.
Andrea

Hi Fatih

Great image. Perfect pose, lovely plumage colours. Very nice work. :-)

bonjour fatih
tres joli ce moineau,bien detaillé et de plus il ressort super bien sur le BG blanc.
genial.
laurent

  • Great 
  • pepeqa (0)
  • [2007-02-11 22:15]

Nice image!

FYI, the "maya", national bird in the Philippines before, is not a tree sparrow but munia. It think its a chestnut munia.

Merhaba fatih.

Very sharp shot of this sparrow! Small nit to me: the bird looks out of balance, i.e. not comfortable. I adjusted that in a WS. Let me know what you think. Tfs, Jay

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