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Zebra Finch - Male
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata)
Description: Zebra Finches measure 10 to 11.5 cm. The plumage is generally grey, with characteristic black 'tear drop' eyestripes and 'zebra like' black and white barring on the rump and uppertail. The throat and upper breast are pale grey, with fine black barring, and there is a broad black band on upper chest. The sides of the belly are chestnut with many white spots. The remainder of the belly and the undertail are white. The male is distinguished from the female by its chestnut cheek patches, a character that gave the species the alternative name of Chestnut-eared Finch. Both sexes have red eyes and bill. The legs and feet are orange yellow.
Young Zebra Finches are similar in plumage to the female, except that the clear black and white markings of the head are absent. The eyes are grey-brown and the bill is black. The most common calls are a loud nasal "tiah", often given in flight, and a soft "tet tet" in close contact.
Distribution and Habitat: Zebra Finches are the most common and widespread of Australia's grassfinches. They are most commonly found in the drier areas of Australia, living year round in social flocks of up to 100 or more birds. They can be found in a variety of habitats, mainly dry wooded grasslands, bordering watercourses. The introduction of artificial dams and watertanks has actually increased the species' natural range, as the birds need to drink on a regular basis. The Zebra Finch is widespread across the Australian mainland, with the exception of Cape York Peninsula and some coastal areas. It is also found in Timor and the Lesser Sunda Islands.
Food and feeding: Zebra Finches feed in large flocks on fallen or ripening grass seeds. Insects may be taken at any time of the year, but are particularly favoured when feeding young. Feeding takes place on the ground, and, unlike some other grassfinches, birds never pull seed heads down with their feet.
Breeding: Zebra Finch breeding generally takes place from October to April, but this varies depending on rainfall. Birds pair for life.
The female alone selects the nest site, but both birds care for the eggs and young. The male gathers almost all the nesting material, with which the female constructs the loose dome-shaped nest. Birds have also been reported to nest in hollows in the ground, although this behaviour is uncommon. The young hatch after only two weeks, and leave the nest after a further three.
The above obtained from http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/zebra_finch.htm
IMAGE INFORMATION
Camera: Canon 10D
Time of day: 4:03 p.m.
Date: 11th September 2005
Weather conditions: Clear
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/60
F-Stop: F/8
Focal Length: 400mm
ISO: 100
Original file type: Digital Raw |
dew77, scottevers7, TAZ, Signal-Womb, Paulosousa, wallhalla15 has marked this note useful
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- dew77
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(13209) - [2005-09-23 6:44]
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Hello Pam!
Superb capture.Vivid colors,POV,details,sharpness and composition are excelent.TFS...:-)
Hi Pam,
Excellent job here. A very colorful bird, and in sharp detail. Great nots..Well Done!
Scott
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- TAZ
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(10926) - [2005-09-23 7:33]
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What a wonderful and interesting bird that you have well captured ! This finch is so nice, I like it with it red beak ! Great note also. Thanks for sharing Pam.
Pam what a lovely capture this one is. Stunning details in the pens with excellent colour and effective DOF. This is really good work. 7/10 Well done.
This is quick Pam, I have to catch a flight out. Well deserved :-)
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- manyee
(21048)
- [2005-09-23 10:42]
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What a pretty finch, Pam. It is so colorful and has so many different patterns. The details are very sharp too. Great capture and TFS. : )
Is it in the wild?
Hi Pam, thatīs a nice capture. Composition is great and good colours too. A good one, very well done. Have a great weekend.
Great shot Pam,
Very busy few days for me, so I'm afraid a short visit!!
No time to read notes, but enough time to enjoy your post.Well worth a big green smile.
Thanks for posting, have a good weekend
Great super sharp shot of an incredibly beautiful bird. I love this pic very much. TFS!
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2431 W: 3 N: 3882]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(12267)