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Monogamous & Territorial Defensive


Monogamous & Territorial Defensive
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5112 W: 178 N: 12574] (34327)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-07-14
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D-5000, Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG APO HSM, @ ISO 400
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/1000 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Birds from the Middle East and Europe [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-08-21 1:22
Viewed: 396
Points: 58
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Motacilla alba alba (White Wagtail) [in Turk. Akkuyruksallayan]

I saw plenty of juvenile 'White' Wagtail around the lake Uluabat while I was in trip to Turkish Thrace and i captured this juvenile beauty near Karaoğlan (Mustafakemalpaşa, Bursa).

TFL and Happy WE!
Cheers,

©Bayram GÖÇMEN, Ege University, Faculty of Science. All Rights Reserved.

*****************************

The White Wagtail breeds in much of Europe and Asia and parts of north Africa. It is resident in the mildest parts of its range, but otherwise migrates to Africa. It has a toehold in Alaska as a scarce breeder. In some areas, notably the United Kingdom, the sub-species Pied Wagtail (M. a. yarrellii) predominates. This is an insectivorous bird of open country, often near habitation and water. It prefers bare areas for feeding, where it can see and pursue its prey. In urban areas it has adapted to foraging on paved areas such as car parks. It nests in crevices in stone walls and similar natural and man-made structures. It is a slender bird, 16.5–19 cm in length (East Asian subspecies are longer, to 21 cm , with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail of its genus. The nominate subspecies Motacilla alba alba which is also lives in Turkey is basically grey above and white below, with a white face, black cap and black throat.

There are a number of other subspecies, some of which may have arisen because of partial geographical isolation, such as the resident British form, the Pied Wagtail (M. a. yarrellii), which now also breeds in adjacent areas of the neighbouring European mainland. Pied Wagtail exchanges the grey colour of the nominate form with black (or very dark grey in females), but is otherwise identical in its behaviour. Other subspecies, the validity of some of which is questionable, differ in the colour of the wings, back, and head, or other features. Some races show sexual dimorphism during the breeding season. As many as six subspecies may be present in the wintering ground in India or Southeast Asia and here they can be difficult to distinguish. Phylogenetic studies using mtDNA suggest that some morphological features have evolved more than once including the back and chin colour. Breeding (M. a. yarrellii) look much like the nominate race except for the black back. It has also been noted that both back and chin change colour during the pre-basic moult; all black-throated subspecies develop white chins and throats in winter and some black-backed birds are grey-backed in winter.
The call of the White Wagtail is a sharp chisick, slightly softer than the version given by Pied Wagtail. The song is a pleasant twittering, more regular in White than Pied, but with little territorial significance, since the male uses a series of contact calls to attract the female.

The most conspicuous habit of this species is a near-constant tail wagging, a trait that has given the species, and indeed the genus, its common name. In spite of the ubiquity of this behaviour, the reasons for it are poorly understood. It has been suggested that it may flush prey, or signal submissiveness to other wagtails. A recent study has suggested instead that it is a signal of vigilance to potential predators. White Wagtails are monogamous and defend breeding territories. The breeding season for most is from April to August, with the season starting later further north. Both sexes are responsible for building the nest, which is a rough cup assembled from twigs, grass, leaves and other plant matter. The nest is set into a crevice or hole; traditionally in a bank next to a river, but the species has also adapted to nesting in walls, bridges and buildings. Around 3-8 eggs are laid, with the usual number being 4-6. Both parents incubate the eggs, although the female generally does so for longer and incubates at night. The eggs begin to hatch after 12 days (sometimes as late as 16 days). Both parents feed the chicks until they fledge at around 14 days, and the chicks are fed for another week after fledging. The White Wagtail makes a cup nest of dried grass, which it lines with soft materials, including animal hair. Its eggs are cream-coloured, often with a faint bluish-green or turquoise tint, and heavily spotted with reddish brown; they measure, on average, 21 x 15 mm.

References:
1. Perrins, C. & Attenborough, D. (1987). Collins New Generation Guide to the BIRDS of Britain and Europe. William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd., Glasgow, 320 pp.
2. Wikipedia: Click here for more info on the species.
3. ARKive.
4. TRAKUS.
nkasot, xTauruSx, Hormon_Manyer, cirano, parasbhalla, cypturk, yasemin, Miss_Piggy, siggi, jlinaresp, SMYRNA, montivipera, Raptorman, bahadir, zulfu, caspian, Gert-Paassen, Noisette, CeltickRanger, anemone has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-08-21 1:25]

Hi Bayram,a nice bird in a very nice and beautiful composition.Excellent sharpness and i like a lot the colors of the ground typical of summer.Have a nice day MF,Luciano

Daha gençken bile gardını almış gibi duruyor Bayram hocam. Türün duruşundan bile teritoryal davranış sergilediği hissediliyor.
Elinize sağlık.
Nazım

Bayram hocam çok net ve temiz bir çalışma olmuş. Gençlerin deseni erginlerden baya farklıymış. Elinize sağlık.
Deniz

Bayram merhaba,
Değişik ve güzel bir kuş daha.Işık,renkler ve kadraj içi yerleşim de ayrıca güzel.Eline sağlık.

Hi Bayram Barea,

Nice pic MF. I like the focus and sharpness, the bird's pose and of course the always useful note. Reason of doing my WS version is I found the colors a bit too magenta, and the whole image a bit too bright (+ the foreground oof). I hope You'll like it. But the advantages of the image are more than those small things I don't fully like, so it worth a dark green smiley.

Please check out Your yahoo e-mail box. Work. :) Best wishes, László

Selam Bayram,

Impressive closeup shot of the White Wagtail bird!
Great sharpness and POV are just ideal with nice natural colors of the bird. The bird looks so tender and awesome. The eye looks just wonderful. The framing is very nice for the picture. Great composition!

Have a nice weekend.

thanks and regards,
Paras Bhalla

  • Great 
  • joska Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 418 W: 0 N: 1041] (5616)
  • [2009-08-21 3:04]

Great photo of this Moatacilla alba!

Dayi cok guzel durmus:) sanki poz vermis sana.
Eline saglik. Kib!
Merih

Bayram. ne guzel poz vermis:) magrur magrur.. cok guzel olmus gercekten..
eline saglik canim kardesim..herkesten selamlar..
Leyla.

Hallo Bayram
A super sharp image with great focus on the lovely details of this White Wagtail, especially the chest feathers and paws. This bird's paws strongly remind me of the paws of the Secretary bird but just on a smaller scale. The White Wagtail is a swanky bird and I like the long tailpiece. I must also agree with Paras about the beautiful eye. Thanks for sharing. Best regards.
Anna

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1388 W: 56 N: 4794] (16480)
  • [2009-08-21 5:29]

Hello MF Bayram,
this is beautiful and I love the whole composition. The focus is sharp and the colors excellent. I just love these dainty little birds.Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2413 W: 94 N: 5586] (17766)
  • [2009-08-21 5:54]

Hello bayram,
Beautiful photo of this youngster. Excellent sharpness, details and good natural colours. Great low POV, OOF BG and composition.
Regards,
Peter

Hi Bayram,

Another good picture, very well documented. Your gallery is a summarized encyclopedia!... good light in this work, with nice and good details approach. Have happy weekend friend!

Jesús

Salam Bayram,

A great shot of this juvenile White wagtail with beautiful coloration, sharpness & fine details. Nicely done & TFS.

Regards

Umar

Kanki çok güzel çekmişsin. Poz harika. Eline sağlık.
Gökhan

Merhaba Hocam,
Çok güzel bir Akkuyruksallayan karesi olmuş, elinize sağlık.
Bu arada yahoo'dan mesaj yazmışsınız bilgisayar başında değildim biraz geç gördüm kusura bakmayın.
Ankara'dan selamlar, Naşit

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3005 W: 162 N: 1005] (2941)
  • [2009-08-21 8:31]

Hello Bayram,
A very fine capture of this young Wagtail showing it in a typical 'Wagtail' pose looking very attentive! Great details and a nice contrassting background.
TFS and have a nice weekend, Ulla

Net ve güzel kompozisyonlu bir kare ,
Eline sağlık Bayram .

Sacaste un buen partido a la luz Bayram. Gran belleza para este conjunto, donde plasmaste bien la delicadeza de esta pequeña ave.
Saludos.

Ciao Bayram. Another amazing capture in special light and stunning details. Excellent sharp.

Roberto

hello Bayram
great composition with good details and nice sharpness
beautiful colours
greeting lou

Merhaba Hocam, çok güzel bir poz. Detaylar ve renkler de çok doğal olmuş. Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 657 W: 15 N: 1642] (6387)
  • [2009-08-21 11:53]

Hello Bayram
Wonderful capture taken with good light and natural colors
Regards
Razvan

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1073 W: 0 N: 162] (870)
  • [2009-08-21 12:35]

Merhaba Hocam,
Beautiful shot of this lovely youngster with nice details and composition.
TFS and G's,
Mehmet

Merhaba Bayram hocam,

Akkuyruksallayan kuşunu doğal ortamında çok güzel çekmişsiniz. Duruş şekli ve bakışları ile portre çalışması için özelikle poz vermiş gibi gözüküyor. Elinize sağlık, paylaşım için teşekkürler.

Saygı ve selamlarımla,
Mehmet

Hi little bro Bayram,

goodmornig, another very nice picture from your hand.
Good pov, dof and sharpness with fine colours.

Gert

Merhaba Bayram
This White Wagtail is superbly captured in a nice environment and in full sunlight
the details re crisp clear sharp
a very beautiful image
Have a great sunday
Jacqueline

hello Bayram

excellent photo of the White Wagtail with the very fine
low POV at the level of the bird, fine DOF and framing,
fine focus excellent sharpness and details, beautiful smooth
luminosity of the image, the catc-light render the photo
more beautiful, TFS

Asbed

Bu türü bahçede çok görüyordum hocam. ismini öğrendiğim iyi oldu.
Elinize sağlık. saygılarımla,
Özgür

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