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Southern Masked Weaver


Southern Masked Weaver
Photo Information
Copyright: Stephen Earle (StephenE) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 19 W: 0 N: 111] (533)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-09-10
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 40 D, 100-400L is
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/1600 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds of South Africa 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-10-29 1:59
Viewed: 1171
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A common yellowish weaver in which the male has a black facemask. Size 11-14.5 cm About the same size as a Cape Sparrow. Afrikaans: Swartkeelgeelvink

The bill is short, strong and conical. It is black in breeding males and pale pinkish-brown in non-breeding birds. The eye of the breeding male is red. The legs and feet are pinkish brown.

The male Southern Masked Weaver in breeding plumage has a black facemask, which extends onto the throat and covers just the forehead and the sides of the face. The underparts and rest of the head are bright yellow, and the back is plain yellowish-green.

The female has a brown or red-brown eye (may be red in some breeding birds) and is dull greenish-yellow, streaked darker on the upper back. The throat is yellowish, fading to dirty white on the belly.

This is a very widespread species, found in nearly all habitats, from bushveld, woodland, through to semi-desert areas.

It is common in gardens, parks and around farmsteads. It is usually seen singly or in small groups. It may also form larger flocks, and is often seen in mixed bird parties, and flocking together with other seedeaters.

They eat insects, seeds, parts of flowers; nectar. Will readily visit feeding trays for bread.

The call is a harsh swizzling. It also utters a sharp chuk alarm note.

It nests mainly from September to January. Males are polygynous (have more than one partner) and usually nest alone, building a succession of nests (about 25 nests each season), although several males may nest alongside in one colony. Nests are usually situated in trees, and often around homesteads, or over water. The nests are typical weaver nests - made of tightly woven strips of reed, palm or grass. The nests have a neat finish, and once selected by the female she will add a lining of soft grass and feathers.
smitha, ralfsworld, darwin, vanderschelden, Juyona, MMM, fartash, rcrick, magiqa has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Stephen,
Fantastic inflight shot. Perfect timing, focus and sharpness. The motion in the wings add to the beauty of the pic. Good colours and contrst.
Thanks for the share,
Smitha.

Great shot Stephen

The focus and sharpness of the head and body is superb; blurred wings are good too.
An excellent surprisingly uncluttered background.

Chris

Hi Stephen
Nice action shot here! You have captured nice details on the head and motion on the wings.
TFS
Ralf

Great timing Stephen
Excellent sharpness and details
tfs jon

Hello Stephen,
Saw this weaver a lot in KNP in South Africa...
Great moment you captured here...
Well done
TFS
Annick

hi stephen
very good job with perfect moment
good colors and composition
nice exposition

aleks ;-)
best regards

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2273 W: 10 N: 2661] (15669)
  • [2007-10-29 5:16]

Hola amiugo,
excelente captura,
bello momento,
color sensacional,
saludos

Hi Stephen,
you caught the bird in the right split second, and you mastered all echnical problems (light, movement) very well. What a great picture full of action. Well done.
My best regards,Dietrich

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 926 W: 0 N: 1998] (8963)
  • [2007-10-29 6:50]

Hello Stephen
Excellent inflight capture.Good POV and sharp image whit good details and lovely colors.well composed to.
TFS Michel

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 7 N: 1114] (5420)
  • [2007-10-29 10:35]

hi,
great picture
tfs

nice capture, TFS Ori

Great action shot with very good detail. I love the blurred wings which enhance the action.

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2007-10-30 4:35]

Hello Stephen, great capture of this beautiful bird in flight ! Perfect sharpness and details, good exposure and background. Well done,

Mario

Hello Stephen
Wonderful shot of this Masked Weaver,
Perfect moment to shoot,Welldone.

Regards
Fartash

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 717 W: 38 N: 1560] (5019)
  • [2007-11-07 23:20]

Hi Stephen, Great shot you’ve captured excellent detail on the head and with the motion on the wings it really sets off the image, excellent dof, nice work well done Cheers Rick

  • Great 
  • gail Gold Star Critiquer [C: 78 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-11-08 19:07]

Hi Stephen,
Nice timing! But what I like most is the angle of the nest & that you can see inside it.
Gail

A wonderful photo of a weaver bird. This fascinating little bird, building their nests so carefully. I admire them.

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