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European Starling


European Starling
Photo Information
Copyright: Mario Belanger (EOSF1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-11-26
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF 100-400 F4-5.6 L IS USM, ISO 400, B+W 77 010 UV-Haze 1 x
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/50 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): CeltickRanger's favorite Bird photos -2- [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-11-14 9:37
Viewed: 794
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
Here's a shot of a European Starling taken in the garden. At 400mm and at 1/50 it was a bit risky but it wasn't that bad after all! :-)

From: www.birds.cornell.edu

Beginning with 100 individuals introduced into Central Park in New York City in the early 1890s, the European Starling has become one of the most numerous birds on the North American continent. Its successful spread is believed to have come at the expense of many native birds that compete with the starling for nest holes.
Description
Stocky, black bird.
Short, square-tipped tail.
Pointed, triangular wings.
Long pointed bill, yellow in breeding season.
Shimmering green and purple feathers in spring.
Size: 20-23 cm (8-9 in)
Wingspan: 31-40 cm (12-16 in)
Weight: 60-96 g (2.12-3.39 ounces)
Sex Differences
Sexes similar.
Sound
Song is a rather quiet series of rattles and whistled notes, often containing mimicry of other bird species. Flight call a purring "prurrp."
Conservation Status
Introduced into North America in the 1890s, the European Starling quickly spread across the continent. It is a fierce competitor for nest cavities, and frequently expels native bird species. It is believed to be responsible for a decline in native cavity-nesting bird populations, but a study in 2003 found few actual effects on populations of 27 native species. Only sapsuckers showed declines because of starlings, and other species appeared to be holding their own against the invaders. You can help scientists learn more about this species by participating in the Celebrate Urban Birds! project.
Other Names
Étourneau sansonnet (French)
Estornino pinto (Spanish)
Cool Facts
All the European Starlings in North America descended from 100 birds released in New York's Central Park in the early 1890s. A group dedicated to introducing America to all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare's works set the birds free. Today, European Starlings range from Alaska to Florida and northern Mexico, and their population is estimated at over 200 million birds.
Although the sexes look very similar, they do show some subtle differences. The male tends to be larger, more iridescent, and have longer throat feathers, but some females can be larger, more glossy, and have longer feathers than some males. During breeding when they have yellow bills, the base of a male's lower mandible is blue-gray, while the female's is pinkish. The male's eyes are a uniform deep brown, but the female has a narrow, lighter colored ring around the outer edge. In confusing cases, some males four years old or older can develop a faint ring in the eye, and some older females can lose it.
A female European Starling may try to lay an egg in the nest of another female. A female that tries this parasitic tactic often is one that could not get a mate early in the breeding season. The best females find mates and start laying early. The longer it takes to get started, the lower the probability of a nest's success. Those parasitic females may be trying to enhance their own breeding efforts during the time that they cannot breed on their own.
siggi, eng55, jaycee, nglen, carper, crs, CeltickRanger, Evelynn, jrobertop, angela926, albert has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1378 W: 56 N: 4747] (16330)
  • [2008-11-14 9:42]

Hello Mario,
At close-up this starling has wonderful plumage and fantastic color combinations. Very nice presentation.
Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1112 W: 23 N: 3660] (13089)
  • [2008-11-14 9:44]

Hi Mario, excellent result at 1/50 and 400mm! Great close up of a common yet under rated bird. Excellent detail and a great BG - well done my friend!
Paul

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1147 W: 32 N: 1170] (3600)
  • [2008-11-14 9:44]

Hi Mario,
Beautiful capture of this starling.Sharpness,POV,details,colors and composition are perfect.Have a great weekend!
Thanks for posting.

Bonsoir Mario,

Cette photo montre que même avec un oiseau commun, il est possible d'obtenir un trés beau résultat. L'arrière-plan semble peint et met l'étourneau en valeur tout en s'accordant avec ses couleurs . La pose, l'attitude avec ce regard et les détails donne une belle touche à cette photo.
Stéphan

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-11-14 10:08]

Hi Mario,

The risk paid off and you managed a superb shot of this Starling. His irridescent colors are wonderful. Super fine details of the entire bird. I love the pose - how far can he spread those legs? Background is beautiful and compliments the Starling very well.

Jane

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2912 W: 34 N: 8640] (32202)
  • [2008-11-14 10:34]

Hi Mario. This is a first class close up of the Starling . I think they are so colourful with a shine to the feathers. It is a bird that is not liked by many over here. i am not to sure why. You have captured a fine pose on the branch. With godd detail and use of the light. well done TFS.
Nick..

Have a nice weekend

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2009 W: 122 N: 2581] (8424)
  • [2008-11-14 10:44]

marelous Mario,
great pov, fantastic details a super dof, fantastic photojob, have a nice weekend.
regard Jaap

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 0 N: 920] (3543)
  • [2008-11-14 11:53]

Hello Mario,

The nice pattern of bird's plumage is very well shown in your photo. The image is very sharp showing nice details of the bird and perch. Main subject stays nicely against the blurry background.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 94 N: 5542] (17634)
  • [2008-11-14 13:28]

Hello Mario,
Beautiful photo of this Starling in great colours. The different colours in the feathers are splendid. Excellent sharpness and details. Good composition and OOF BG.
Have a great weekend,
Peter

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2008-11-14 14:42]

Salut Mario,mais c'est magnifique,cet oiseux ci as des plumes spctaculaires!! Mes compliments pour l'avoir nous montre' si parfaictaiment,un travail excellent comme d'habitude ;-) ,bon weekend,Luciano

salut Mario

très belle image en close-up de l'étourneau sansonnet,
excellent POV et cadrage, belle luminosité,
superbes netteté et détails du plumage et de l'avant-plan, TFS

Asbed

This is a very unpopular bird in this part of the US. They are very smart though and have been known to do incredible things. I think they are pretty birds with all those spots and green tones. I really like yours against the softly textured neutral background.

TFS
Evelynn : )

Hello Mario.
Great capture of this small bird with exuberant coloration!
Extraordinary details and sharpness.
This background enriches the first plan.
Congratulations!
José Roberto

Hello Mario,
Fantastic shot of this european starling, excelletn composition and pov, beautiflu colors, good details, very good sharpness and depth of field.
Angela

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2008-11-14 21:15]

Hi Mario,
Outstanding shot of this cute European Starling with very impressive sharpness, colours and details on its plumage. The BG looks so special and highlights the subjects pretty well. Another one of your exclusive images. Excellent lighting, POV, DOF and composition.
TFS.
Sumon

Bonjour Mario,
Le résultat est remarquable, très bon piqué ,la stabilisation d'image t'a donné un sacré coup de main!!!
Très beaux détails du plumage et superbes couleurs
Merci pour le partage
Albert

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2008-11-15 13:17]

Hi Mario,
a fine capture of this Starling.
The sharpness is excellent for 1/50!
Superb composition.
Well exposed.

Nice work!
Cheers,
Joe

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