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Song Sparrow


Song Sparrow
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: 2008-04-30
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, 1/100 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-05-31 14:39
Viewed: 578
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
That's a Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia, 16cm) that was in the garden a few weeks ago.

From: Cornell.
A common sparrow of backyards across North America, the Song Sparrow is readily recognized by its streaked breast and large central spot. It lives up to its name, being one of the most persistent singers throughout the spring and summer.
Description
Chest streaked, with spot in center.
Two thick brown stripes on sides of whitish throat (malar stripes).
Long, rounded tail.
Grayish or whitish eyebrow.
Size: 12-17 cm (5-7 in)
Wingspan: 18-24 cm (7-9 in)
Weight: 12-53 g (0.42-1.87 ounces)
Sex Differences
Sexes look alike.
Sound
Song is a varied series of two to six phrases, usually starting with several clear notes and then including buzzes, trills, or other complex notes. Call a husky "chimp."
Conservation Status
Widespread and common in urban and suburban areas, so generally not of much concern. However, some California subspecies that use exclusively tidal marshes are vulnerable to habitat loss, and are listed as of special concern. Populations extirpated on several California Channel Islands.
Other Names
Bruant [Pinson] chanteur (French)
Gorrión cantor (Spanish)
Cool Facts
The Song Sparrow is found throughout most of North America, but different populations in different areas can look surprisingly different. Those found in the arid Southwest are lightly marked and pale while those in the Pacific Northwest are dark and heavily streaked. The sparrows found on the Aleutian Islands of Alaska are even darker, and are huge: one-third longer than the eastern birds, and weighing twice as much.
The range of the Song Sparrow is nearly continuous from the Aleutians to the eastern United States. However, the species is also found on the plateau of central Mexico, about 1500 km (930 mi) from the next closest population. The Song Sparrows of central Mexico have white throats and chests with black streaks.
Despite the large morphological differences between populations of Song Sparrows, genetic divergence is rather low. High rates of dispersal and gene flow may keep the populations genetically similar, but local selective conditions maintain the physical differences.
Like many other songbirds, the male Song Sparrow uses its song to attract mates as well as defend its territory. Laboratory studies have shown that the female Song Sparrow is attracted not just to the song itself, but to how well it reflects the ability of the male to learn. Males that used more learned components in their songs and that better matched their song tutors (the adult bird they learned their songs from) were preferred.
The Song Sparrow, like most other North American breeding birds, uses increasing day length as a cue for when to come into breeding condition. But, other cues can be important too, such as local temperature and food abundance. A study found that male Song Sparrows from the coast of Washington state came into breeding condition two months earlier than Song Sparrows in the nearby mountains, where the daylight changes were the same, but temperatures were cooler and trees budded out two months later.
pierrefonds, eqshannon, CeltickRanger, MartinL, jaycee, Pentaxfriend, uleko, parthasarathi, Miss_Piggy has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

the Mario golden touch has struck once more...Very sharp one this time. I saw a sparrow on the lawn just no more than 10 minutes ago while coming back from the car wash....and then turned on the computer to see this first off...Very interesting...and a superb image...upper drawer! Tres Bien!
Bob

  • Great 
  • Marx44 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 59 W: 72 N: 279] (1772)
  • [2008-05-31 15:14]

Hi,

Bardzo ładny wróbel. Kompozycja zdjęcia bardzo dobra.

salut Mario

belle image en close-up du Bruant chanteur,
avec un excellent POV et cadrage, bell pose de l'oiseau
qui donne du charme à cette photo, superbe netteté et détails,

TFS

Asbed

Mario,

That's my favorite sparrow ! Some of my first pictures of 'small' birds were just of that species. You have captured this one beautifully, just like always. The composition works really well here - its as if he decided to sit there just for you. Wonderful work. TFS.

Best Regards

Martin

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1107 W: 6 N: 3063] (11326)
  • [2008-06-01 2:21]

Salut Mario,une autre photo fantastique,les details sont impressionants et la lumiere parfaite,j'aime en particulier le derriere noir qui donne a la photo une charme exceptionel,mes compliment et bonne Dimanche,Luciano

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1159 W: 255 N: 2639] (11925)
  • [2008-06-01 4:45]

Hi Mario,

A nice capture with great colors,pose and sharpness,well seen and captured and use of fillflash,tfs

Paul

Hi Mario
Very nice shot with wonderful detail in the feathers
Well composed with lovely natural color,sparrow stands out really well against this dark BG
tfs jon

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1911 W: 8 N: 4976] (16095)
  • [2008-06-01 9:18]

Hi Mario,

A beautiful shot of this Song Sparrow - one that I have not seen in Tucson. He is posing nicely for you and seems to be looking right into the camera. Excellent colors, details, and composition - as always.

Jane

Bonjour Mario,
Belle prise de vue de ce Bruant chanteur, belle netteté et couleurs , détails superbes et notes,
Mes compliments
Michel

Looks good. The streaking throughout the feathers is a nice style. Trevor

Hi Mario,

SUPERB shot
Perfect POV, sharpness, feather details and colors
Beautifull dark BG

TFS Thijs

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2585 W: 170 N: 7879] (24911)
  • [2008-06-02 4:26]

Hello Mario,
Superb capture of the Song Sparrow in a fine pose on the log. Excellent sharpness and colours and it looks great against the beautiful dark background.
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

A superb capture.

Hallo Mario
Old posting for you………….New posting for me……………Stunning is not the word. Unbelievably beautiful. A lovely close-up with crisp clear details and features. I like the shades of brown of the feathers as well as the different patterns on the plumage. A real neat and handsome bird. Great shot by a very talented photographer. Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards
Anna

Bonsoir Mario,

Ce pinson sur le tronc d'arbre est impressionnanté Les détails et les couleurs des plumes de l'oiseau sont clairs et précis. Le sujet est bien cadré. La lumière donne un bon éclarage à l'oiseau. Bonne soirée.

Pierre

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