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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: 1330 W: 107 N: 4804] (21334)
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 (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-07-13 5:50
Viewed: 346
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
A male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus, 22 cm) captured at the Montreal Botanical Garden in Montreal.

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.
eqshannon, pankajbajpai, CeltickRanger, NinaM, goldyrs, falke, jaycee, sranjan, liziafa, nglen, siggi, Jamesp, albert, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Mario...now these we have..I see them maybe once a week. Not at my feeder but out in the trees near the borders of the Palouse. they are usually hiding among the branches in order to not have their image taken. Certainly in that respect, catching them as you do so well on perches remains a good thing yes?! Very nice addition..
Bob

hello mario,
lovely capture, you have managed the exposure well here, the almost monotonus bg has done wonders here, nice pose,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

salut Mario

belle image de ce beau oiseau (eh oui moi je trouve
les carouges de beaux oiseaux, les femelles encore plus belles),
excellent POV et cadrage, sa peche est différente des branche
sa ajoute une charme à l'image mais si ma préférence
va aux photos tous naturelles tpous sauvages,
par-là je veux dire qu'il n'y ai pas de signe de civilisation,
j'aimes la pose comme un colonel d'armée de ce carouge
avec son contact-visuel tonitruant envers toi, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 566 W: 0 N: 1388] (4593)
  • [2008-07-13 7:06]

Ce qu'il est beau, j'adore ses plumes au vent! C'est superbe Mario, ces oiseaux sont pour moi la représentation de l'été, à cause surtout de leur chant qui m'enchante. En voiture, les fenêtres ouvertes, on les entend en passant... J'aime beaucoup le fond particulièrement flou dans cette photo, avec le noir de l'oiseau et le rouge des épaulettes, plus tous les détails dans le noir des plumes, c'est un portrait fidèle du caractère de ces habitants de nos champs. Merci!

Francine

  • Great 
  • falke Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 158 W: 17 N: 443] (1590)
  • [2008-07-13 8:12]

Mmmm, absolutely lovely photo! Great POV with the eye contact and spotless technique with great sharpness.

Best regards/Bengt

An amazing shot, Sir!
I've never even heard of this blackbird with red wings!The pose you've captured is also so different and beautiful!
Goldy

Hi Mario, excellent composition, this bird looks like he is watching you - such a lot of character wonderfully capture. The background is perfect, the colours and details just as goo.. tfs, regards h.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1786 W: 8 N: 4638] (14987)
  • [2008-07-13 9:58]

Hi Mario,

I saw my first blackbird here in eleven years a few weeks ago. He was on the ground at the base of the feeder and refused to pose. I keep looking for him but it must have been a fluke or a mirage. So I'll just enjoy your magnificent portrait of this one. An elegant pose - looking proud of himself - with a beautiful face and eye, magnificent plumage. Beautiful colors and sharp details. I love the feathers around his neck.

Jane

Dear Mario,
I agree with rest of all other in appreciating this beautiful bird clicked by you (red shoulder is more orangish!). Lovely expressions, POV & sharpness. TFS.
Regards-Subhash

Hi Mario,
Beautiful shot, excellent composition.
Well done!
TFS Malgosia

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1991 W: 5 N: 5557] (20998)
  • [2008-07-13 12:08]

Hi Mario. This bird is posing for you saying come on take my picture. which you have done with your usual skill. giving fine detail and natural colours. the coloured wing tips show up so well. TFS good notes too.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 286 W: 3 N: 779] (2796)
  • [2008-07-13 12:17]

Hi Mario,
this is a very fine shot of the Red-winged Blackbird. The light is good and feather detail is nice and sharp. I like the pose. Good colours. Great work.
Regards
Siggi

Hi Mario,
Excellent capture of Red-winged Blackbird with good pose and composition, bright colours and sharp details.
TFS
Pekka

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2008-07-13 19:59]

Hi Mario,
Just marking this wonderful shot, I will be back with a proper critique.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2008-07-13 22:45]

Hi Mario

Lovely pose with excellent detail and good eye contact.

James

Bonjour Mario,
Tres belle pose de ce Carouge qui te regarde du coin de l'oeil !
Belle composition et excellente netteté
Bravo
Albert

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1692 W: 242 N: 5589] (19849)
  • [2008-07-14 14:56]

Hi Mario,
what a great photo of this Red-Winged Blackbird!
Very good clarity and detail.
Excellent exposure of the blacks.
Superb composition.

Well done,
Joe

Hello mario,
Fantastic capture of this red winged blackbird, superb sharpness and depth of field, great pose, beautiful colors, nice clarity and good detqails.
TFS
Angela

Bonsoir Mario,

Le carouge à épaulettes sur la cabane d'oiseau semble observer les environs. La prise de vue permet de voir les détails et les couleurs des plumes de l'oiseau. L'image est claire et précise. La bonne luminosité rehausse les couleurs. Bonne soirée.

Pierre

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