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Male Figbird
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
I found this Male Figbird at the same place I took my previous posting of the Striated Pardalote, Figbirds are part of a worldwide family that includes the orioles, of which Australia has two other members (the Yellow and Olive-backed Orioles). Males have bare, red skin around the eye, contrasting against a black crown and grey neck and throat.
The remainder of the body is olive-green, except for a white under-tail area. Females have grey skin around the eye and lack distinctive head markings. They are brown-green above and dull-white below, streaked with brown. Both sexes have a blackish bill. There are two distinct colour forms of the males of this species. Males north of Proserpine in Queensland have a yellow front.
Figbirds have a blackish bill, which easily distinguishes the species from the similar Olive-backed Oriole, which has a reddish bill. Both of the Australian orioles also lack the Figbird's bare eye skin and have red eyes (adults). The Figbird tends to be more gregarious than either of the orioles, living semi-colonially.
They occur across coastal regions of northern and eastern Australia from the Kimberley region in Western Australia around to the New South Wales/Victoria border.
They also live in rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, but is often found in urban parks and gardens, particularly those with figs and other fruit-producing trees
Mostly sedentary, but undergoes some nomadic movements, particularly southwards into Victoria.
Figbirds feed in flocks, often of around 20 birds that are prepared to fly to isolated trees that are suitable for foraging. Figs are a particularly popular food item, although they will feed on most soft fruits and berries in canopy trees. Insects are also important components of their diet.
The gregarious behaviour of Figbirds is maintained in the breeding season, with small groups of birds nesting semi-colonially in adjoining canopy trees. The nest is cup-shaped and built of vine tendrils and twigs. It is supported by its rim from the horizontal fork of an outer branch of the canopy, up to 20 m above the ground. Both males and females incubate the eggs and feed the young.
Figbirds are commonly encountered in city parks that contain fig trees, and will often visit orchards and gardens that have leafy trees and berry-producing plants.
Details; Shot Raw and converted to Jpeg, cropped and reduced in size, re-sharpened slightly, and passed though “Neat Image” to reduce some digital background noise.
Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Shooting Date/Time 1/07/2008 11:34:11 AM
Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/800
Av( Aperture Value ) 3.5
Metering Mode Partial Metering
Exposure Compensation -1/3
Digital Exposure Compensation +1.0
Autoexposure Bracketing 0
ISO Speed 400
Lens EF400mm f/2.8L IS USM
Focal Length 400.0 mm
Image Size 800x737
Image Quality Superfine
Flash Off
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode Manual focusing
Picture Style Standard
Sharpness 7
Contrast 1
Saturation 1
Color tone 0
Color Space sRGB
Long exposure noise reduction 2: Enable
High ISO speed noise reduction 1: Enable
Highlight tone priority 0: Disable
File Size 140 KB
Drive Mode High-speed continuous shooting |
MMM, uleko, LordPotty, marhowie has marked this note useful
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- Nilson
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 442 W: 0 N: 427]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(3110) - [2008-07-02 16:33]
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Richard exelente foto muito bem focalizada um trabalho magnifico parabéns.
Nilson
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- arfer
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-n.gif)
(0) - [2008-07-02 21:25]
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Hello Richard
A very good pov for this figbird.
The plumage detail is wonderful with lovely colour saturation.
Nicely composed in a natural setting.
TFS
Rob
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- Jamesp
(16522)
- [2008-07-02 23:43]
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i Rick
Great action shot here - lovely pose and lighting. Well seen and captured.
James
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- MMM
(8905)
- [2008-07-03 7:04]
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Hi Richard
Excellent presentation.Razor sharp image with nice detail.Colors are outstanding and I also like your subject pose.
TFS Michel
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- uleko
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2992 W: 162 N: 950]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(2789) - [2008-07-03 9:02]
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Hello Rick,
I remember getting good views of these birds in Cairns. This is a fine close capture showing it calling from a nice POV. I like the sharp details and the fine colours.
TFS and cheers, Ulla
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- star05
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 41 W: 0 N: 66]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif)
(299) - [2008-07-03 19:01]
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Hi Rick,
Wowsa!! Sharp as a tack and activity present which makes for an interesting shot... I have not seen a Figbird b4.. Well seen and taken.. Beautiful plumage..
TFS.
My Best Regards,
Jane
Great capture of this Figbird in song Richard.
Looks like a tricky shot with difficult light ... great result though.
Well done.
Cheers
Steve
Hi Richard,
Since we use the same camera now I can comment with user experience :)
I would not use a "neat image" program myself, but rather apply NR in small amounts first to the raw image if need be in small amounts.
Then again in the TIFF format..Selectively.
You shot here at ISO 400, but your DOF is a bit short. I would've used a slightly higher ISO with F/5.6 a minimum for a bird closeup.
Lovely open beak pose & POV, but you've cut the tail, and the thin branch running behind the birds head is a bit distracting.
Good luck on your learning curve,
Howard
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 713 W: 36 N: 1554]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}