Whiteithroated Sparrow

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Whiteithroated Sparrow
Photo Information
Copyright: Mario Belanger (EOSF1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1266 W: 103 N: 4311] (19463)
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, 1/640 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-05-13 13:56
Viewed: 438
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
Another shot of the White-throated Sparrow (Zonotricia albicollis, 17cm) shot on a twig in the Montreal Botanical Garden.

From Cornell:

The White-throated Sparrow sings its breeding song of "Oh Sweet Canada Canada Canada" across the most of that country. Although its breeding range barely extends outside of Canada, it is common in fields and hedgerows throughout the eastern United States in winter. It is found in urban areas more frequently than most sparrows.
Description
Large sparrow, small songbird.
Throat white.
White and black stripes on head.
Yellow in front of eyes.
Gray chest.
Back striped brown and black.
Size: 16-18 cm (6-7 in)
Wingspan: 20-23 cm (8-9 in)
Weight: 22-32 g (0.78-1.13 ounces)
Sex Differences
Sexes similar in plumage, males slightly larger.
Sound
Song a slow series of usually five clear whistles that changes pitch once, on either the second or third note, often described as "Old Sam Peabody" or "Oh Sweet Canada." Call note a distinctive "tseep."
Conservation Status
Abundant, but apparently declining over much of breeding range.
Other Names
Bruant à gorge blanche (French)
Cool Facts
The White-throated Sparrow comes in two color forms: white-crowned and tan-crowned. Tan-crowned birds have dull whitish or light tan head stripes, and more brownish chests that usually contain some streaking. In the spring when the sparrow is most brightly colored, most individuals are easily assigned to a color morph. In fall, the morphs are more similar and many birds appear intermediate between the two.
The two color forms of the White-throated Sparrow are determined by genetic differences, and are unique among birds. Oddly, individuals almost always mate with a bird of the opposite morph. Males of both color types prefer females with white stripes, but both kinds of females prefer tan-striped males. White-striped birds are more aggressive than tan-striped ones, and white-striped females may be able to outcompete their tan-striped sisters for tan-striped males.
Although they look nothing alike, the White-throated Sparrow and the Dark-eyed Junco occasionally mate and produce hybrids. The resulting offspring look like grayish, dully marked White-throated Sparrows with white outer tail feathers.
Luis52, nglen, CeltickRanger, jaycee, MartinL, Jamesp, vanderschelden, eqshannon, goldyrs, Alex99, darwin, albert, angela926, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 782 W: 11 N: 1380] (4759)
  • [2008-05-13 14:05]

Hi Mario

Superb shot of the sparrow.
I really love the pose beacause of the excellent eye contact and I like the way it is holding onto the branches.
Very nice details and wonderful colours.

Hil

salut Mario

belle image de ce joli bruant avec un excellent POV,
background aux couleurs merveilleux, excellente netteté
et détails du bruant avec un superbe contact visuel, TFS

Asbed

Mario,

I see another wonderful shot. The white throated sparrows are really beautiful and your picture shows it very well. You've composed this shot nicely with awesome sharpness, detail and POV. The bird's pose is an added bonus as well. Great work.

Best Regards,

Martin

  • Great 
  • RP1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 154 W: 1 N: 124] (1840)
  • [2008-05-13 15:22]

Salut Mario,
Très belle photo de ce bruant! Couleurs composition BG tout est en équilibre. J'aime bien le regard de l'oiseau vers le photographe.
Merci,
Roger

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1223 W: 0 N: 4449] (13290)
  • [2008-05-13 15:25]

Hi Mario

A lovely composition with good colour and excellent detail. Well observed and captured.


James

Hello Mario,
Very good image especially in terms of content, technical quality, POV, DOF and compo.
TFS
Annick

Hi Mario,
Great shot. Very nice composition and colors.
TFS
Wei

Very nice Mario....You are still pumping the bird shots out!:-) If it were not for the Milan trip....now why didn't you take a camera or if you did where are the images?
Bob

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1036 W: 5 N: 2728] (9914)
  • [2008-05-13 16:59]

Hola Mario.
Alta calidad y claridad en esta bella foto. Colores bien definidos que le dan un alto valor a la presentacion. La nota es tambien de gran contenido.
Saludos Mario.
Luis52.

Mario,
Very nice shot of this lovely sparrow, I'm sure this must've been a very difficult shot!
Very well done!
Goldy

fantastic Mario,
very good capture here and it's looking into the lens, good photo, good quality a signature of your, good photojob, have a nice day.
gr. jaap

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2935 W: 142 N: 4217] (13775)
  • [2008-05-14 3:57]

Hi Mario.
I am impressed with how the cute bird is posing you. Scene is amazing and rather unique. You managed to use this chance greatly. Fill flash is stunning. Despite the light BG bird is exposure perfectly. Its clear sharpness and details are perfect too. Bravo.
Alexei.

Hi Mario
Very nice capture with amazing sharpness and detail
Nice natural color in the feathers
tfs jon

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1675 W: 8 N: 4022] (13255)
  • [2008-05-14 8:58]

Hi Mario,

I loved this Sparrow when you posted him the last time and I still do. A wonderful pose with the second claw on the little twig. He seems to be looking right into the camera. Beautiful colors and fine details.

Jane

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1864 W: 2 N: 4738] (18250)
  • [2008-05-14 9:13]

Hi Mario. I hope you are well my friend. This is a fine shot of this beautiful looking little bird. You have fine detail and colours. i like the pose as its looking staight at you. well done TFs.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1555 W: 233 N: 5091] (17959)
  • [2008-05-14 13:24]

Hello Mario,
what a striking image of this beautiful little Sparrow!
I love the head-on POV.
Excellent composition too.
Perfectly lit with great colours.
Very, very sharp and extremely detailed.
The DOF is great and blurs the BG very effectively.

Well done!

Joe

Superbe ! La pose et l'utilisation du flash sont incroyable ! Félicitation !

Hello Mario,
Great capture, superb vivid colors, excellent contrast
and great details, fantastic sharpness and depth of
field, nice pose and lovely blurred
background.
Angela

Hi Mario, lovely bird in splendid pose, fantastic colors, fine details and superb sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Bonsoir Mario,

Une note excellente, ce bruant à gorge blanche sur la branche est impressionnant. Le photographre a bien saisi les détails et les couleurs du plumage de l'oiseau. Le sujet est bien cadré. La qualité de la lumière fait ressortir les couleurs. Bonne soirée.

Pierre

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