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Yellow-billed Blue Magpie


Yellow-billed Blue Magpie
Photo Information
Copyright: Ram Thakur (ramthakur) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2968 W: 108 N: 7679] (24860)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-22
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D200, Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO DG MACRO, 58mm UV
Exposure: f/8, 1/1000 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-12-16 1:07
Viewed: 466
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
There were about six of these birds that swooped one morning on a willow tree in the compound of my friend's house at Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh. The place is located at the foothills of Dhauladhar mountain range.
Trying to shoot them in the tree was difficult because they were partially concealed in the thick foliage of the tree. One of them eventually hopped on to the roof of a nearby shack. I took a few hurried shots, unable to avoid certain obstructions visible in the picture.
I have no clue about the ID of these birds. I saw them for the first time. They were fairly large birds with yellow beaks and greyish plumage. They did not produce any sounds and flew away after some time.
Could someone please help me with the ID of this bird?

PS: Ivan (Argus) has identified this bird for me. It is a Yellow-billed Blue Magpie. Thanks, Ivan!

There is the briefest of notes on Wikipedia which describes the bird as follows:

The Gold-billed Magpie or Yellow-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa flavirostris) is a passerine bird in the crow family, Corvidae.

Thanks for looking and have a nice day.

Alex99, jcoowanitwong, smitha, Adanac, medio, Maite, fartash, jaycee, rcrick has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3029 W: 148 N: 4520] (14595)
  • [2007-12-16 1:30]

Hi Ram.
What a funny bird you managed to catch. Its haircut is simply amazing as well as the expression of the face. I am impressed with huge DOF. All image is sharp and perfectly detailed. Lighting and clear rich colours are perfect too. My compliments and best regards.
Alexei.
P.S. Thank you for your too (-: ) ) kind words to my last post.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2596 W: 133 N: 7433] (23169)
  • [2007-12-16 1:31]

Hello Ram,
Once again you have come up with a species of bird that I have never seen in real life but would very much like to see.
It is the Yellow-billed Blue magpie. The POV does not allow us to see the white nape of the neck but the other characteristics are easily discernable in this sharp and well composed shot.
Well done and thanks for sharing a shot of this treasure ffrom the Himalayas.
Best wishes, Ivan

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1681 W: 242 N: 5550] (19643)
  • [2007-12-16 1:50]

Hello Ram,
natural capture of this Yellow-billed Blue Magpie.
Excellent pose with the beak open and a good POV.
Doesn't look the smartest of fellows! Probably just had a bath or something ;)
Sharp with good details.
Well done,
Joe

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1251 W: 0 N: 4829] (14332)
  • [2007-12-16 3:00]

Hi Ram

I have never seen this bird, so thankyou for showing ot to me - this is, after all what TN is about. Good pose and detail.

James

Hi Ram,
Beautiful shot of this Yellow-billed Blue Magpie. Fine plumage details are well appreciate. Beautifully composed. Very well done and tfs.
JC

Hello Sir,
Very good capture of the Yellow billed Blue Magpie.Excellent sharpness and details.Lovely pose captured with a catch light in its eye.beautiful lighting.
TFS& Regards,
Smitha.

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1043 W: 1 N: 4096] (13768)
  • [2007-12-16 4:22]

Hello Ram,
Great job in difficult conditions, this bird is quite similar to our Black-billed Magpie. Thanks for such a great chance to compare species for me.
Rick

  • Great 
  • medio Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 27 W: 2 N: 35] (170)
  • [2007-12-16 6:45]

Hi Ram,
Composition takes precious and precious tones colors are excellent and the perfect frame!! Pretty picture.
Greetings Jose

  •      
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 979 W: 64 N: 1189] (4888)
  • [2007-12-16 8:43]

Hello Ram
Excellent capture of this interesting bird with great sharpness and good details on the plumage. I like the eye-contact so much.
Congratulations and TFS
Greetings
Maite

PT :)

Dear Ram
Wonderful shot of this Yellow-billed Blue Magpie,
Great composition,lighting and POV,Welldone.

Regards
fartashphoto.com

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1778 W: 8 N: 4597] (14871)
  • [2007-12-16 14:52]

Hi Ram,

What a splendid looking bird this is! The expression on his face is priceless. You caught him in a wonderful pose showing off those great feathers and his face. I love the setting too.

Jane

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 623 W: 42 N: 1142] (3696)
  • [2007-12-16 19:23]

Hi Ram,
A beautiful shot of this Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, love the POV, good detail in the feathers, you've handled the exposure well considering the lighting conditions all the best Cheers Rick :)

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2007-12-16 21:30]

Hi Ram,
Wonderful shot and I like the colour contrasts here and the sharp details on its plumage. The Magpie seems to be talking to you. Great natural lighting, exposure and DOF. I like your chosen POV and your composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

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