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Black Stilt - Endangered


Black Stilt - Endangered
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3817 W: 505 N: 8098] (27718)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-10-31
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital RAW 200, Hoya UV 77mm
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/250 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-11-01 3:53
Viewed: 1123
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Black Stilts (Maori Name: Kakī)

The black stilt is one of the world's rarest wading birds. By 1981 its numbers had dropped to only 23 birds in the wild. By August 2000 the numbers had recovered to only 48 birds in the wild, with another 20 birds in captivity.

Kakī, or black stilts, are a native wading bird with completely black plumage and long red legs. Unique to New Zealand, they are regarded by Maori as a taonga species (living treasure).

At the time of European settlement, kakď were common in many of New Zealand’s rivers and wetlands. There was plenty of habitat and the risk of predation was low. As European settlement intensified, New Zealand’s environment began to change. Settlers introduced foreign plants and animals, drained wetlands for development, and channelised rivers. With the spread of new predators and extensive modification of their habitat, kakď numbers declined to a low of just 23.

Kakī have been intensively managed since 1981. The Department of Conservation’s captive breeding centre near Twizel plays an important role in the Kakī Recovery Programme. A number of kakī pairs are held at the centre for captive breeding. All kakī eggs are artificially incubated and the young chicks are raised in captivity. At 3-9 months they are released into the wild. Rearing them in captivity significantly increases their chances of survival by preventing predation when they are most vulnerable, (as chicks and eggs).

Conservation efforts to date have succeeded in averting extinction and increasing kakī numbers. The next phase of the recovery programme will address the complex issues associated with managing kakī in the wild.

The main threats to kakī include:

• Predation - especially by introduced mammalian predators like feral cats and ferrets
• Habitat loss and modification - eg through hydroelectric and agricultural development and weed invasion
• Human disturbance – people in riverbed areas can crush eggs or chicks and scare adult kakī away from their nests

The challenge now is to learn how and when to manage these threats. Targeted research will help to identify the most effective and efficient management techniques to use. With the support of landowners, recreationalists and the general public, we hope that kakī will thrive in their natural habitat once more.

The above obtained from http://www.doc.govt.nz/Conservation/001~Plants-and-Animals/001~Native-Animals/Kaki-(Black-Stilts).asp

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 20D
Time of day: 10:48 a.m.
Date: 31st October 2005
Weather conditions: Sunny
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/250
F-Stop: F/5.6
Focal Length: 100mm
ISO: 200
Original file type: Digital Raw
wallhalla15, ddg, odin, joeydrops, dew77, manyee, red45, Libor, marhowie, cecilia has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Pam, beautiful natural shot - very clear and colorful. Great composition and great details. Superb colors. Well done & TFS!

  • Great 
  • ddg Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 855 W: 23 N: 942] (5111)
  • [2005-11-01 6:28]

Pam bonjour, excellent shot. This Kaki is a beautiful bird with nice refects on black plumage.Good composition and sharpness. Congratulations Didier.

  • Great 
  • odin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 183 W: 1 N: 207] (1157)
  • [2005-11-01 6:47]

Nice shot of this black bird Pam. Lots of detail on the black feathers of the birds. You manage very well.
Sébastien

Hi Pam,
This is a beautiful bird. It is so sad that it is endangered, but it is nice to know that there is the hope that they will be able to thrive again :)
Well captured!
Kind regards,
Claudia

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2005-11-01 8:58]

Hello Pam!
Wonderful capture.Details on black feathers are amazing.POV,colors,sharpness and DOF are excellent.
TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6167] (21074)
  • [2005-11-01 10:57]

A beautiful stilt, Pam, and thank you for bringing us such an endangered animal. It is amazing to me to see this stilt. As you may know, I have been posting a lot of black-necked stilts, which are showing up in throves in our area in the winter. Your stilt has exactly the same look, except that it is all black. Wonderful.
The focus and exposure on your shot are superb, showing off all the nuances and reflections on the black plumage, a very challenging feat.
Did you see this kaki in the wild or in a preserve?

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2005-11-01 11:00]

Hi Pam! Interesting bird. I like its colours, pose and vigilant eye. Very good exposure on feathers.

  • Great 
  • Libor Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 176 W: 1 N: 25] (1101)
  • [2005-11-01 13:20]

very nice shot
beautiful bird,perfect note
thanks Libor

Very sharp with excellent detail seen in the birds plumage Pam. Well composed. I might've toned down the highlights just a tiny bit. Excellent notes. Well done & Thank You.

Very well captured Pam,
Good colour, detail and sharpness.
Well composed and good exposure.
Thanks for posting. Sorry for the rushed critique, one of those busy nights!!

Great quality in the shot. Striking bird and a lovely natural background...
Well done...
Cesie

A great job on the capture of this fine bird, Pam.

Wonderful feather details, colors, POV and pose.

Well done and thank you.

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