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Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus)


Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus)
Photo Information
Copyright: Goutham Ramesh (goutham_ramesh) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 698 W: 132 N: 2227] (8843)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-07-26
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D 80, Sigma 50 -500mm f4/6.3 DG EX APO HSM
Exposure: f/8, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): GouthamBirds [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-08-07 10:48
Viewed: 312
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi all,
This was shot during our weekend drive. I saw this fellow on an electric wire and not on a natural perch :-(. The weather was cloudy and the BG was white so it was a challenge to shoot this guy!
The Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus) is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers.

It is a species primarily of open land and semi-deserts in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia, but it has a foothold in Europe in Spain. It nests in trees.

It takes live prey such as small mammals, birds and insects. The slow hunting flight is like a harrier, but it will hover like a Kestrel.

This bird is unmistakable. It has a white head with a black "mask", and white underparts except for black tips to its narrow falcon-like wings. Upperparts are blue-grey except for black shoulder patches.

The tail is short and square, quite unlike the more familiar Milvus kites.

This species was formerly referred to as the Black-shouldered Kite, but this name is now only used for the Australian species, Elanus axillaris, which at one time (along with the American White-tailed Kite E. leucurus) was treated as a subspecies of E. caeruleus.

for more info look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-winged_Kite

cheers,
Goutham Ramesh
Royaldevon, jusninasirun, Miss_Piggy, pekkavalo1, Argus has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Goutham,

The markings are distinctive and well recorded. In fact, the bird looks to be wearing eye-liner! Good textural details and a nice, diagona composition.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Hello Gautham. Excellent framing of this kite perched well on the diagonal cable. Sharp detail with good exposure of the plumage. Thanks for sharing and best regards. Jusni

Hallo Goutham
What a wonderful shot. You have managed to capture this beautiful Kite in a lovely front view pose, displaying the feathers on the chest well. The soft fluffiness of the plumage is displayed with great clarity. A beautiful perspective, with sharp details and focus. The clarity of the eyes and paws is very impressive; especially the eyes are quite an attraction. The pale grey blue background highlights the beauty of this bird even more. Thanks for sharing, and have an enjoyable day.
Best regards
Anna

Hi Goutham,
Excellent capture of this Black-winged Kite with good pose and composition, pin sharp details showing tiny details of the plumage, good lighting and colours.
TFS
Pekka

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2765 W: 150 N: 7969] (24819)
  • [2008-08-13 5:12]

Hello Goutham,
A fine capture of the Black-winged Kite reminding me of when I missed it in a simlar situation when I was in Goa. You got him with excellent sharpness and from a good POV from below on the wire set in just the right composition.
TFS this beauty,
Ivan

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