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Rose-Breasted Grosbeak


Rose-Breasted Grosbeak
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: 2008-05-15
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF 100-400 F4-5.6 L IS USM, ISO 200, B+W 77 010 UV-Haze 1 x
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/500 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-05-24 8:41
Viewed: 614
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
Again a shot of a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus, 20cm) taken in the garden the other day.

From Cornell:

The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak, boldly patterned in black, white, and rose, is easily identified. The drab, striped female, however, is more of a challenge, resembling a large sparrow or finch. A common bird of forests and second growth, the grosbeak's song is like that of the robin, only as sung by an opera singer, being mellower and more sweetly melodic.
Description
Medium-sized, stocky songbird.
Large, thick, pale, cone-shaped bill.
White flash in wings in flight.
Male distinctive with black hood, red chest, and white belly.
Size: 18-21 cm (7-8 in)
Wingspan: 29-33 cm (11-13 in)
Weight: 39-49 g (1.38-1.73 ounces)
Sex Differences
Male strikingly colored, with black back and hood, red chest, white rump and belly. Female streaked brown and white.
Sound
Song a slow, rich warble, like a robin that has taken singing lessons. Call a sharp "squeak," like a sneaker on a gym floor.
Conservation Status
Common. No significant changes in populations noted.
Other Names
Cardinal à poitrine rose (French)
Picogrueso pechirrosado (Spanish)
Cool Facts
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak hybridizes with the Black-headed Grosbeak where their ranges overlap in the Great Plains. Hybrids can look like either parent species, or be intermediate in pattern, with various combinations of pink, orange, and black. Hybridization occurs most often where the densities of both species are low, and only rarely when densities are high.
In areas of overlap with the Black-headed Grosbeak, male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks responded equally to songs of both species. When presented with mounted birds, however, they attacked the Rose-breasted Grosbeak mount more. The males directed their attacks primarily at the white rump and flanks of the model, suggesting that the white rump is a more important stimulus than the red chest.
The nest of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak is so thinly constructed that eggs often can be seen from below through the nest.
The male Rose-breasted Grosbeak participates in incubation of the eggs, accounting for about 1/3 of the time during the day (the female incubates over night). Both sexes sing quietly to each other when they exchange places. The male will sing his normal song while near or actually on the nest.
nglen, goldyrs, Hil, parthasarathi, maurydv, angela926, eqshannon, jaycee, crs, albert, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2130 W: 9 N: 5960] (22528)
  • [2008-05-24 8:55]

Hi mario. Whata fine looking bird you have for us. good detail and colours. A nice pose on the natural looking log. stands out well against the dark BG. well done TFS. Interesting notes too.
Nick..

it's a beauty Mario,
fine shot fantastic capture, good quality and very nice to look at, very good photojob, have a nice day.
gr. jaap

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 477 W: 11 N: 1348] (4706)
  • [2008-05-24 10:14]

Hello Mario,
A fantastic picture!! I love the colors and sharpness. Incredible detail!! Great pov. Also a very interesting and informative note.
Regards,
Siggi

Mario,
It does'nt make sense to say that something is beautiful when thats what it is!To add to this there is a different perspective.The rose breast part looks like its blood which is trickling down and the look in the bird's eye is one that is of sadness...just my perspective..A lovely shot!
Cheers,
Goldy

Hello Mario
Yup..Its spot on!!
You really are a master at lighting Mario.
I tip my Hat to you Sir!!
Paul

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 750 W: 13 N: 1442] (4951)
  • [2008-05-24 11:16]

Hi Mario,

Lovely shot of the Grosbeak.
I like your composition with some excellent eye contact.
Superb details and great colours and black head stand out well from from dark BG.

Hil

  • Great 
  • pvb Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 381 W: 20 N: 522] (1815)
  • [2008-05-24 11:58]

Hi Mario,
Thanks for sharing this bird with us. It is a bird I have never seen before. Very good compo and pose. Great sharpness and good colours.
Paula

Nice picture and note.

  • Great 
  • Nilson Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 354 W: 0 N: 300] (2268)
  • [2008-05-24 12:33]

Belo e magnifica ave muito bem focado ficou exelente com o segundo plano preto bem destacado parabéns.
Nilson

Splendida cattura, eccellente composizione con lo sfondo scuro e i bellissimi e contrastati colori, ottima nitidezza e straordinaria definizione del piumaggio, fantastici i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Hello Mario,
Very nice capture, beautiful vivid colors and nice contrast, excellent sharpness and depth of field, lovely catchlight, good pose and nice details.
Angela

For the life of me I cannot figure how you see so many birds....it must be your life's work Mario..that and comedy:-) What an unusual combination of ways to project ones life onto the world but the world being as unique as each inhabitant, I guess it is normal...or is there such a word.?
Bob

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1911 W: 8 N: 4976] (16095)
  • [2008-05-24 19:14]

Hi Mario,

Magnificent shot of this Rose-breasted Grosbeak with the wonderful red, white and black against the dark background. The face is beautiful. Superb details of the face, wings and plummage. As always a marvelous composition.

Jane

  • Great 
  • darwin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 260 W: 0 N: 478] (1814)
  • [2008-05-24 19:20]

Hi Mario
Wonderful shot with striking color and light
Beautiful composition with superb sharpness and detail
tfs jon

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 405 W: 0 N: 630] (2537)
  • [2008-05-24 19:48]

Hi Mario,

Nice and interesting and interesting shot of this bird. Sharp clear image as usualy but very interesting composition. I like the image of the black back of the bird on the dark background. It is only the light that makes the difference between the fethers of the bird which are shiny while background is matt. Very good looking solution!

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

Hello Mario,
A photo with excellent contrasting colours. The light is amazing. Sharpness and details are very good. Fantastic composition. I think you are very glad with your trunk.
Regards,
Peter

Hi Mario, splendid focus on elegant bird with fantastic colors and fine details, excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Superbe photo Mario, bon dimanche
Bien cordialement
Albert

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1888 W: 245 N: 6180] (22002)
  • [2008-05-25 11:25]

Excellent clarity here that has conserved every little detail.
I just love the harsh side-lighting and the atmospheric shadows it has created.
Very good composition.
Brilliant DOF.

Very well done, Mario!

Joe

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-05-26 11:07]

Hello Mario

Another stellar avian posting.
This is a beautiful bird with outstanding plumage colour and detail.
Excellent eye contact and catch light.
Great pov and dof.
TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1812 W: 29 N: 5246] (17188)
  • [2008-05-27 9:20]

Hi Mario,
Another outstanding shot and the skillful handling of light lets the bird stand out from the dark BG. Nice colours and details on its plumage and you have captured it in a fine pose. Excellent DOF, POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2585 W: 170 N: 7879] (24911)
  • [2008-05-27 9:50]

Hello Mario,
Lovely capture of this lovely red-breasted Grosbeak. I like its pose and the dark background. Excellent sharpness and fine colours in this fine composition.
Many thanks, Ulla

Bonsoir Mario,

Le cardinal à poitrine rose sur le tronc d'arbre semble observer le photographe. La qualité de la lumière rehausse les couleurs. La photo est claire et nette ce qui permet de distinguer les détails des plumes de l'oiseau. Bonne soirée.

Pierre

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