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RED-BACKED SHRIKE
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
RED BACKED SHRIKE MALE (LANIUS COLLURIO)
Measuring 17 cm in length, the red-backed shrike is slightly larger than a house sparrow. Males are easily recognisable by their striking appearance. They have a bluish-grey head, black eye mask, chestnut coloured back, black tail framed with white, salmon pink underparts and a hooked black bill. Females and juveniles do not have the black eye mask of the male and are dull brown; juveniles also have bars on their back. The voice includes a harsh 'chack chack' alarm call, and males produce a sustained warble in which the songs of other bird species are copied.
The red-backed shrike breeds throughout most of Europe except for most of the northern areas, central and southern Iberia and many Mediterranean islands. It migrates via south-east Europe to tropical and southern Africa and north-west India for the winter. Formerly widespread throughout much of England and Wales, the species has undergone a drastic decline since the mid 19th century.
Red-backed shrikes once bred in a wide range of habitats, including commons, waste land, scrubby habitat and heathland.
They take a range of prey and use a variety of hunting methods. They swiftly drop onto beetles and other invertebrates dwelling on the ground, but can also chase after flying insects and catch them on the wing.
Small birds, mammals, lizards and frogs are also taken, and are killed with a sharp peck to the back of the head.In areas where extensive scrub clearance has occurred, the rate of decline has been shown to be double that which occurred in other areas.
Agricultural intensification including pesticide use may have contributed to the decline of this species by reducing prey availability.
This photo was shoot near Timis river, about 15 km from city of Timisoara, ROMANIA> |
horias, sandpiper2, jconceicao, Argus, zetu has marked this note useful
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great portrait, TFS Ori
- horias
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 396 W: 59 N: 864]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(4060) - [2009-08-15 13:11]
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Marius,
Vad ca asa cum eu iubesc fluturii, tu iubesti...pasaricile.
Iar pe cele mai minunate dintre ele, le imparti cu noi!
Bafta!
Horia
Hi Marius
Stuuning shot of this beautiful shrike. Excellent composition, amazing sharpness and details. On eof teh best shots I've seen of this species, great work.
Chris
Hello Marius,
A very lovely image you have posted.Picture is very sharp and with great details.
Composition is simply marvelous.
A viewer first looks at the eye of the bird and then scans the whole bird.excellent.
Regards
Nazir
Hello Marius,
Great capture.
Light,focus and definition are superb.
Excellent composition.
Excelent Marius,obiectivul tau are ceva vibration reduction? Lucrati extraordinar impreuna.
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- Argus
(35161)
- [2009-08-20 12:52]
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Hello Marius,
A superb capture of a male Red-backed Shrike taken from a great POV that shows its features with excellent sharpness, lighting colours and naturalOOF neutral BG. Nicely composed on the top of a hawthorn branch too.
Thanks and best regards,
Ivan
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(301)![Silver Star Critiquer [C: 24 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-n.gif)
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