Spotted flycatcher

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Spotted flycatcher
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul van Slooten (pvs) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1133 W: 259 N: 2406] (10803)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-18
Categories: Birds
Camera: Sony Alfa dSLR A700, Digital RAW 200
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/30 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-05-18 12:48
Viewed: 341
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A new bird in my porfolio,I guess this could be the spotted flycatcher,made this evening on the waterside,handheld capture from about 7 to 8 meteres and fairly cropped image,hope someone can confirm the suggested ID,thanks for watching

The Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It breeds in most of Europe and western Asia, and is migratory, wintering in Africa and south western Asia. It is declining in parts of its range.

This is an undistinguished looking bird with long wings and tail. The adults have grey-brown upperparts and whitish underparts, with some streaking on the breast. The legs are short and black, and the bill is black and has the broad but pointed shape typical of aerial insectivores. Juveniles are browner than adults and show the spots on the upperparts which give this species its name.

Spotted Flycatchers hunt from conspicuous perches, making sallies after passing flying insects, and often returning to the same perch. Their upright posture is characteristic.

They are birds of deciduous woodlands, parks and gardens, with a preference for open areas amongst trees. They build an open nest in a suitable recess, often against a wall, and will readily adapt to an open-fronted nest box. 4-6 eggs are laid.

Interestingly, most European birds cannot discriminate between their own eggs and those of other species. The exception to this are the hosts of the Common Cuckoo, which have had to evolve this skill as a protection against that nest parasite. Spotted Flycatcher shows excellent egg recognition, and it is likely that it was once a host of the Cuckoo, but became so good at recognising the intruder's eggs that it ceased to be victimised. A contrast to this is the Dunnock, which appears to be a recent Cuckoo host, since it does not show any egg discrimination.

The flycatcher's call is a thin, drawn out soft and high pitched tssssseeeeeppppp, slightly descending in pitch.
nglen, pekkavalo1, maurydv, viv, Gert-Paassen, cloud, CatherineD, tkp1165 has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To CatherineD: Thankspvs 1 05-19 10:35
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1864 W: 2 N: 4738] (18250)
  • [2008-05-18 12:51]

Hi Paul. What a cute little bird which you have captured so well. You have captured good detail and natural looking colours in the feathers. Whit a nice POV/DOF. well done TFS. good notes too.
Nick..

Hi Paul,

Great capture of Spotted Flycatcher. The pose is not very usual for one but otherwise it looks like one to me. Very good composition, sharp details and nice colours. However, I have posted a workshop, hope you don't mind.

TFS

Pekka

Splendida cattura di pigliamosche in una postura di riposo (nella mia immagine era in attivitą di caccia), ottimo POV, molto bella la composizione con le bacche di ginepro, molto buona la nitidezza, belli e naturali i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • viv Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 309 W: 3 N: 613] (3056)
  • [2008-05-18 15:37]

Hoi Paul,
What a beauty, nice composition, I like your POV and the blurred part on the left. And congratulations with the new catch.

Thanks
Vivian

Hello Paul,

good capturd in his natural habitat, the green BG is also naturally.
Nice pose from this birdand good pov.

Gert

Hi Paul,another beautifull pearl in your gallery,excellent as usual and whti evry interesting note too,today i post my first (and i think last..eheheh) bird and now i know how isn't easy to take that! My best compliments,Luciano

Hallo Paul,
Mooie foto van deze Grauwe Vliegenvanger. Goede scherpte, natuurlijke kleuren, en een fantastische diepte in de foto. POV is perfect.
Groet,
Peter

Hi Paul

Good shot of this flycatcher.
Great composition and DOF
Good sharpness.

Chris

  • Great 
  • cloud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 88 W: 54 N: 124] (1359)
  • [2008-05-19 5:08]

Hello Paul,
I like to watch flycatcher. Your have nice pose and very good bg, juniper with fruits peep out very well.
Best regards, Pawel

Hello Paul,
It's a lovely composition with a beautiful bird in its environnement (a juniper?). Very good colours and sharpness. Best regards,
Catherine

Hi Paul
this is a great capture of this little guy. Perfect exposure,nice detail and sharpness. Stands out nicely with the green background. Nicely done!
TFS
Tom

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