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Red-winged Blackbird


Red-winged Blackbird
Photo Information
Copyright: Mario Belanger (EOSF1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1427 W: 128 N: 5252] (23221)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-07
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/6.3, 1/500 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-05-10 6:38
Viewed: 627
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
Here's another shot of a male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus, 22 cm) I shot this one at the Montreal Botanical Garden.

From Cornell:

One of the most abundant birds in North America, the Red-winged Blackbird is found in wetlands and agricultural areas across the continent. The black male can hide the brilliant red shoulders or show them off in a dazzling display. The striped female looks strikingly different than the male and could almost be mistaken for a large dark sparrow.
Medium-sized songbird.
Moderately long and slender bill.
Tail of medium length.
Male plumage is well described by the name.
Size: 17-23 cm (7-9 in)
Wingspan: 31-40 cm (12-16 in)
Weight: 32-77 g (1.13-2.72 ounces)
Sex Differences
Male black with red shoulders, female brown and striped all over.
Song a gurgling "oak-a-lee." Call a dry "chek" and "cheer."
Conservation Status
Perhaps the most abundant bird in North America, with an estimated population of 190 million individuals in 1974. Populations increased greatly in the middle of the 20th century.
Other Names
Carouge à épaulettes (French)
Tordo alirrojo, Tordo capitán, Mayito de la ciénaga, Sargento (Spanish)
Cool Facts
Different populations and subspecies of Red-winged Blackbirds vary markedly in size and proportions. An experiment was conducted that moved nestlings between populations and found that the chicks grew up to resemble their foster parents. This study indicated that much of the difference seen between populations is the result of the different environments.
The Red-winged Blackbird is a highly polygynous species, with one male having up to 15 different females making nests in his territory. In some populations 90% of territorial males have more than one female. But, from one quarter to up to half of the young in "his" nests do not belong to the territorial male. Instead they have been sired by neighboring males.
The male Red-winged Blackbird fiercely defends his territory during the breeding season. He may spend more than a quarter of all the daylight hours in territory defense. He vigorously keeps all other males out of the territory and defends the nests from predators. He will attack much larger animals, including horses and people.
The Red-winged Blackbird forms roosting congregations in all months of the year. In the summer it will roost in small numbers at night in the wetlands where it forages and breeds. In winter, it can form huge congregations of several million birds, which congregate in the evening and spread out each morning. Some may travel as far as 80 km (50 mi) between the roosting and feeding sites. It commonly shares its winter roost with other blackbird species and European Starlings.
Alex99, Luis52, gerbilratz, eqshannon, nglen, Jamesp, CeltickRanger, angela926, albert, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To eqshannon: Thanks! Bob!EOSF1 1 05-13 14:33
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3174 W: 154 N: 4796] (15481)
  • [2008-05-10 9:56]

Hi Mario.
S attractive scene you have pictured. Pose of the fine bird is wonderful. It is so curious. What did it see there? Composition of the shot is superb. I also like great DOF, excellent sharpness of the bird image and nice blurred BG. It is clear correct exposure of the black bird without sunlight is almost impossible. And come details are lost. However, this is not a point. My compliments and TFS. Well done.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1026 W: 5 N: 2888] (10447)
  • [2008-05-10 10:25]

Hola Mario.
Muy bellos los colores de este hermoso Pajaro Negro.(Tordo Negro) Los diferentes tonos lucen gracias a la calidad de la fina imagen. Una pose singular y bello fondo.
Saludos Mario.
Luis52.

Hi Mario, amazing shot, the timing alone is enough to make this a first class picture, the colouration and details are just superb. A stunning composition. regards h

How as Milan?! Fine image of the redwing...I have a pair of Redwings...but the are not birds, but boots:-) And they are not nearly as pretty as this!
Bob

  •      
  • mariki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1064 W: 64 N: 2234] (9195)
  • [2008-05-10 13:03]

Bonsoir Mario,

Encore une très belle photo d'oiseau. Superbe composition de ce carouge prêt à s'envoler. Excellent netteté et superbes couleurs.
Bonne soirée,
Mariki

:-) demain

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2130 W: 9 N: 5960] (22528)
  • [2008-05-10 13:07]

Hi Mario. Some time i wonder why mother nature puts just this little spash of colour on the wings. It makes it a fine looking bird which you have captured so well. with good detail. and a good POV. well done TFS. good notes too.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1305 W: 0 N: 5107] (15234)
  • [2008-05-10 13:08]

Hi Mario

Great pose plus wonderful colours nad detail.

James

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1888 W: 245 N: 6180] (22002)
  • [2008-05-10 14:00]

Hi Mario,
a nice shot of this beautiful bird.
The soft lighting here is great!
Sharp as always and incredibly detailed.
Excellent composition too.
Well done!!

Joe

Hello Mario,
Very good light in the background against these technically well done blacks...
TFS
Annick

Hi Mario, elegant bird in nice pose, fine details, fantastic colors on wing and splendid sharpness, very well done, have a good Sunday, ciao Silvio

salut Mario

belle image du Carouge à épaulettes qui semble être à la fin de son cri,
excellent POV, DOF et cadrage, belle luminosité de l'image
nous montrant d'excellent details du plumage noir, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3103 W: 234 N: 5930] (20016)
  • [2008-05-11 22:49]

Great shot of this red-winged blackbird, Mario.
You caught the right moment and POV to show that bold red spot on the wing.
Interesting pose and good composition.
TFS. : )

Nicely done Mario.
Good brilliance of colour. I like the surroundings taken with this bird.
I was going to post one tonight too, but saw this and decided to wait.

Hello Mario,
Fantastic capture, excellent sharpness and depth of field, superb details and nice clarity, beautioful vivid colors and nice contrast, great pose and fantastic catchlight.
Angela

Bonjour Mario,
Tres belle pose et superbes couleurs
Bien cordialement
Albert

Hi Mario,
What a beauty. I can imagine how difficult it must be to capture this bird. The black coat can play havoc on the exposure. But, you just know how to handle it. There is even detail in the feathers.
The curious look is perfect. Details and composition are spot on.
TFS,
Niek

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1107 W: 6 N: 3063] (11326)
  • [2008-05-12 8:31]

Salut Mario,une autre photo de qualite' exceptionelle,le noir et rouge de ce fantatique oiseu est un grand spectacle,mes compliments,Luciano

wonderful capture!beautiful details and sharpness!great composition!

Mario,
Wow, So much detail in this bird. I find black bird are hard to photograph with all it's feather and detail in tact. Great job here. Excellent presentation. Love it.
Way

Hi Mario,
Very nice capture of this red-winged black bird. It is very difficult to show black bird's eyes because of the shapes of colors are so similar. You did it very well.
TFS
Wei

Bonjour Mario,

Ce carouge à épaulettes sur la branche attire notre regard. Le sujet est bien cadré. La prise de vue permet de voir les détails et les couleurs du plumage de l'oiseau. Il semble observer quelque chose deavnt lui. Bonne journée.

Pierre

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