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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: 2008-11-17
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, 1/200 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-11-25 7:45
Viewed: 1081
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
A different pose from the European Starling. Taken again in the garden.

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.
ralfsworld, eqshannon, NinaM, jaycee, siggi, nglen, crs, boreocypriensis, zulfu, xTauruSx, albert has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Mario
What a good looking starling you have here captured in beautiful pose. Colours and details are really good.
TFS
Ralf

Hmmmm...sometimes you post other starlings which have a bit more green than golden or off yellow..is that the main difference...I love the green..as a matter of fact I saw a young man yesterday with a specially painted Army Green car and a yellow/gold stripe down the middle and I mentioned to Jane of the look alike and then went on to talk of your images..see? Even away from the computers we do not forget our friends!
Bob

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 801 W: 3 N: 2100] (6596)
  • [2008-11-25 8:00]

Tu nous rinces les yeux, quel bel oiseau! Mes favoris avec les geais bleus, je pense, j'aime les "bums" ;-) L'arrière-plan lumineux est très beau et est un écrin parfait pour notre ptit bum sur la photo. JE souligne encore une fois la belle lumière, parce que c'est ton talent.

Bye bye!

Francine

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1161 W: 32 N: 1196] (3668)
  • [2008-11-25 8:21]

Hi Mario,
Excellent starling capture again.POV,harmonious colors,clear details and sharpness are perfect.
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-11-25 8:54]

Hi Mario,

It's nice to see a different view of the Starling - usually we see them in profile. Beautiful colors and fine details of the intricate looking plummage. I love the framing, the neutral colors and the composition.

Jane

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1385 W: 56 N: 4777] (16434)
  • [2008-11-25 9:47]

Hello Mario.
Great close up shot op this Starling. The details of the head, plummage and wings are fantastic. with a fine focus, lighting, composition and details. Well done and TFS

Best regards,
Siggi

Hi Mario,
so pretty, I love his wings, the golden parts.
I'm always happy to see them again in March.
The fly to the south in winter, we don't have them here in Germany during winter-time.
So thanks for your shot
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2924 W: 34 N: 8671] (32310)
  • [2008-11-25 11:19]

Hi Mario. You have captured a very nice pose from the starling which you have taken with sharp focusing and fine detail. You have a good POV/DOF. all with interesting notes well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 0 N: 920] (3543)
  • [2008-11-25 11:40]

Hello Mario,

The bird has an interesting pose being very attentive at something. I like the natural ataitude you have been able to capture. The light you have got is very fine showing the plumage in warm colors. The image is very sharp showing excelent details of the bird and the texture of the perch it is sitting on.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

Ciao Mario, elegant bird with fine details and great sharpness, lovely diagonal composition with beautiful blurry BG, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hi Mario, another splendid shot in a lovely posture on a diagonal composed branch. TFS my friend!
Cheers,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1069 W: 0 N: 162] (870)
  • [2008-11-25 23:15]

Hello Mario, splendid shot of this beautiful bird with wonderful details and fine composition.
TFS and G's,
Mehmet

Hello Mario, perfect shot of beuty with nice DOF/POV, details, colours and composition.
TFS and greetings,
Deniz

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2008-11-26 3:14]

Hello Mario,what is it watching? Seem to be observing some job. Well composed shot. Ganesh

Bonjour Mario,
Une autre belle pose bien exposée, superbes détails du plumage
TFS
Albert

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2008-11-26 5:51]

Salut Mario,vraiment magnifique,les details des plumes sont extraordinaires,les couleurs aussi,tu es un grand artiste,mes compliments encore une fois,merci de partager,Luciano

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