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Another strange bird...


Another strange bird...
Photo Information
Copyright: Stephan Duchesne (iglootrek) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 102 W: 10 N: 463] (1615)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-04-12
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel, CMOS ISO 800
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2006-05-10 23:23
Viewed: 1300
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Vulturine Guineafowl (Acryllium Vulturinum)

A BIG THANKS to Loot (loot) for his help with the identification.

Picture and info taken at the Honolulu Zoo

ORIGIN:
Eastern tropical Africa in dry grassland and scrub plain dotted with tall trees.
DIET:
Uses is powerful beak and claws to scratch and dig for seeds, roots, tubers, grubs, and will catch rodents, small reptiles, and crawling insects. Browses on some vegetation and fruits.
SPECIFIC FEATURES:
Very inquisitive and bold. Small parties forage over the plains in loose flocks. Often found in the company of hoof stock collecting from the spoils of the churned-up earth. Prefers to roost high in trees at night. Calls can be heard over long distances and they utter them when disturbed, excited, or to call together the flock at evening.
Guineas are both monomorphic and monochromatic and the behavior of both sexes is so similar as not to be helpful in distinguishing males from females.
REPRODUCTION:
13-18 creamy white eggs are laid in a scrap in a grass clump. One nest may contain eggs from two hens who may share in the incubation process. The shells are particularly thick and durable and have a pitted surface. Incubation lasts 28 days and the precocial chicks, in their gold and brown-striped down, can fly within a few days. They become active members of the flock in just a few weeks.
HABITAT DESIGN:
Dryer and more open than for the Cresteds. Tall grasses will give individuals privacy, which can be in short supply in close confinement. They also spend less time off the ground than their counterparts, although some sturdy branching should be provided as an option. Always make sure there is enough for everyone to avoid potentially fatal fighting. Other considerations are the same as for the entire family of guineafowl.
DIET:
Basically the same as for Vulturines. Many keepers offer "chicken scratch" which they will eat, but alone may not be balanced or varied enough. They are really omnivores that will eat most any seed sold in feed stores (with the possible exception of milo, which almost no bird seems to like). In the ground, they use their strong beaks and claws to chip away at tubers, with the ground holding tight. When feeding carrots or other roots, it may be necessary to shred first since there will be nothing to hold them while the birds peck away. They usually tire of chasing these rolling menus and leave them lay, giving the false impression that they don't like them.
marhowie, Luc, Athila, loot has marked this note useful
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To marhowie: Thanksiglootrek 2 05-11 22:30
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5747 W: 606 N: 3505] (9407)
  • [2006-05-11 1:46]
  • [2]

Hi Stephan
This is the Vulturine Guineafowl - Acryllium Vulturinum and here is the Honolulu Zoo web-page where you can read more about it.
You captured it very well in this lovely portrait. The composition is great (although, IMO you could have given it a little more space in front), the colours are perfectly natural, and the DOF is good with excellent details. The BG has a little bit of noise, but it is well OOF and highlights the bird very well. The lighting/exposure was well managed.
Very well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3103 W: 234 N: 5930] (20016)
  • [2006-05-11 2:07]

What an amazing looking bird, Stephan.
Good POV with sharp details and beautiful colors.
I agree with Loot that a bit more space in front would give him some room to stare into.
Very interesting addition to the bird collection on TN.
TFS. : )

Yes, this is really a strange bird ! The details on skin and plumage are excellent, and the colors are natural and beautiful. Good BG and DOF. Nice composition. i love the red eye of this bird. Well done !
Valérie.

Hi Stephan,
Nicely composed and POV. Lovely feathers and usual look of vulture. TFS
JC

Who's this nattily dressed gentleman, Stephen?
Wow, what a superb portrait of this strange bird!
Perspective, focus, color, sharpness -- all are extraordinary in this image.
Great job and thaks for sharing it.

Hi Stephan

Love the amazing striped plumage. Very good shot. All the technical stuff is spot on. Thanks.

Salut Stephan,
vraiment impressionnant comme vautour,j'aime beaucoup son plumage.Très belle photo.
Merci
Bruno (cooper)

Hi Stephan,
An excellent portrait on this Guineafowl. Amazing and unique colors and plumage. Nice and sharp with a good OOF backround. I like the tight crop and frame filling composition. It looks like you got alot of nice shots on your trip to the islands. This looks great!
Scott

  • Great 
  • pilonm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 554 W: 99 N: 844] (2743)
  • [2006-05-11 12:08]

Hello Stephan,

Wonderful picture of this vulture! The details of the plumage, the blurry bg and the colours are awesome! TFS,

Michel

Excellent profile portrait Stephan.
I like it!

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1836 W: 94 N: 2340] (8406)
  • [2006-05-11 17:44]

Hi Stephan,
A rare animal that I never saw. Great details, color and POV.
TFS José M.

  • Great 
  • BeBe Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 128 W: 0 N: 253] (909)
  • [2006-05-11 18:37]

Hi Stephan, very good sharp photo, good composition and combination of colors, Juan

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2052 W: 315 N: 4301] (14719)
  • [2006-05-14 7:58]

Excellente photo.
Merci Stéphan.

  • Great 
  • Athila Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 312 W: 238 N: 427] (1537)
  • [2006-05-14 21:53]

Salut Stéphane!

Heureux de revoir de tes images. Un animal qui a une tête pour les bandes dessinées. Exposition et netteté excellentes. Cadrage et exposition intéressante. La lumière diffuse présente des détails excellents sur toute l'image.

Belle performance et merci de la partager.

Alain

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