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New Zealand Robin


New Zealand Robin
Photo Information
Copyright: Pam Russell (coasties) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3816 W: 505 N: 8098] (27718)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-24
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM, Digital RAW 100, Hoya UV 77mm
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Travelogue: Winter Holiday Campervan Trip 2006
Date Submitted: 2006-08-20 1:50
Viewed: 1293
Points: 44
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
New Zealand Robin (Petroica australis longpipes)

Maori Name: Toutouwai

The Robin - Maori name Tutouwai - seems to be almost tame when you find it in the bush. It comes close to see who the visitor is and if you keep still will feed on the ground near your feet. Once the Robin was found throughout the forest, but it is now much less common. Part of the problem is it's trusting habits. Cats and other introduced wild animals like stoats find it an easy bird to catch.

The North Island Robin is a sub-species of the New Zealand Robin, characterised by dark slate grey upper parts with an irregular shaped patch of white on its chest, long thin legs and an upright stance. The female is generally browner and lighter coloured than the male.

Robins are found mainly in mature native forests, common in beech or podocarp forest, and in manuka or kanuka scrub. They are territorial all year but especially so in the breeding season. They usually mate with the same partner year after year.

Several characteristics have prompted the mistaken linking of the NZ Robin to its European namesake, the robin red-breast, however the two birds are not at all related.

Robins are extremely bold and fearless and will approach humans with curiosity. They feed on insects, grubs and worms on the forest floor and are often seen to tremble one leg to cause a vibration in the ground to induce prey to move. They can be enticed to approach closer by clearing a patch of leaf litter to expose potential food.

The adult male has a loud and clear song consisting of a variety of simple notes strung together and often sustained for 30 minutes with short pauses. They also have a short 'chirp' contact call.

Vital Statistics

Conservation Status: Protected Endemic
Mainland Status: Widespread and locally common
Size: 18cm, 35g
Life Span: c3 Years (however oldest recorded 16 yrs)
Breeding: July - December
Diet: Mainly invertebrates, small fruits in season
First Introduced to Tiri: 1992
Population on Tiri: 189 (February 2004 bird count)
Total Population: Abundant


The above obtained from http://www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz/Fauna/NorthIslandRobin.htm & http://netlist.co.narttrails/

IMAGE INFORMATION

Camera: Canon 20D
Time of day: 2:08 p.m.
Date: 24th July 2006
Weather conditions: Dark. In Native Bush
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/60
F-Stop: F/5
Focal Length: 220mm
ISO: 100
Support: Hand Held
Original file type: Digital Raw
uleko, TAZ, metcher, liquidsunshine, manyee, wallhalla15, hekcik, jeanpaul, jcoowanitwong has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2997 W: 162 N: 968] (2839)
  • [2006-08-20 2:16]

A really wonderful sharp shot, the Robin and the lichen-covered branch stand out beautifully against the background. Very nicely cut and framed.
Great, TFS, Ulla

a very lovely shot Pam,
a great capture, well taken shot, fantastic in composition, good light and yes I like the shot, well done.
gr. jaap

Hi Pam
Some how you made a plain little gray Robin really stand out. It is a crisp and well detailed shot.
TFS
Kathy

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2006-08-20 3:39]

Hello Pam, I come back from my too small week in mountain and I discover this lovely shot. This gray NZ Robin is cute and I like also the contrast on the clear branch on the soft background. As always all parameters are excellent.
Congratulations Pam and TFS.

Pam
You made really nice and sharp shot of this little guy :)
TFS
Ralf

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1740 W: 95 N: 2273] (8411)
  • [2006-08-20 4:49]

Hi Pam,
Lovely small bird. Excellent details, color and composition.
TFS, José M.

Hi Pam,
I love this little guy :)! Great details with excellent composition POV and DOF. Very well done! TFS,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 962 W: 0 N: 89] (7801)
  • [2006-08-20 7:41]

Hi Pam
Great shot again. Great sharpnes, details, light, colours, DOF, BG and POV. Also good note. And I love your frames.
Well done mf

osse

Hello Pam, another excllent clors, Bg, POv DOF perfect details, excllent work, TFS Kyle

Hi Pam,
Excellent shot, I like it!
Nice pose and POV, with very good sharpness, detail, DOf, color, and exposure. Well seen from the BG and I like the greens of the moss/fungi covered branch adding great color & interest to the shot :)
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2006-08-20 11:49]

Great shot Pam, nice contrasts, sharp and clear. Great background and a very nice subject. Thanks !

Mario

Hi, Pam.
Very lovely little bird in nice pose. Excellent exposure, details and BG.

Very nice capture Pam,
The details are nice, clear and sharp.
Good colours, lighting and exposure. DOF is spot on and the POV is good.
Well composed, well framed and good notes.
Thanks for posting, have a great week.

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12252)
  • [2006-08-20 16:20]

Bonjour Pam!

Superbe prise cet oiseau est mignon et parfaitement saisi sur cette branche.

Félicitations et merci.

Joseph

Perfect shot!

Hello Pam,

Extremely nice details and I think the pose on this passerine is very nice as it allows the viewer to see all the detail in the feathers. :)

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2006-08-20 23:02]

Hi Pam
New Zealand certainly has no shortage of cute little birds.A wonderful portrait of this little fellow.Lovely colours and detail.Excellent composition with crisp DOF and good POV.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6165] (21068)
  • [2006-08-21 3:06]

What a cute little bird, Pam. He looks very different from our robins.
I love the pose. He looks very alert. Excellent details and colors.
TFS. : )

Hello Pam,
pose is excellent, great work. Very good sharpness, details, colours and composition. Thanks for sharing.
Gr.
Heinz

Hi Pam,

Excellent shot.
Great light, colors and sharp.
Beautiful composition.
Very well done and well seen!

TFS :-)
Norbert

Hi Pam,
This is an adorable bird. Composition and pov are great. I like this cuddly body with slender legs. TFS.
JC

Salut Pam
Tres belle présentation de ce bel oiseau,il est très mignon c'est la première fois que j'en vois un .La pose de l'oiseau sur cette jolie branche est parfaite.
Merci et au revoir....JP

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