Yellow-headed Blackbird

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Yellow-headed Blackbird
Photo Information
Copyright: Tom Peak (tkp1165) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 114 W: 4 N: 347] (2147)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-02
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D 80, Sigma 50-500mm f4-6.3 DG EX APO HSM
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): CeltickRanger's favorite photos of singing birds [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-03 14:43
Viewed: 368
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I came across a few of these guys on short hike this morning.

The Yellow-headed Blackbird, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus, is a medium-sized blackbird, and the only member of the genus Xanthocephalus.

Adults have a pointed bill. The adult male is mainly black with a yellow head and breast; they have a white wing patch sometimes only visible in flight. The adult female is mainly brown with a dull yellow throat and breast.

Their breeding habitat is cattail marshes in North America, mainly west of the Great Lakes. The nest is built with and attached to marsh vegetation. They nest in colonies, often sharing their habitat closely with the Red-winged Blackbird. During the breeding and nesting season the males are very territorial and spend much of their time perched on reed stalk and displaying or chasing off intruders.

These birds migrate in the winter to the southwestern United States and Mexico. They often migrate in huge flocks with other species of birds. These blackbirds are only permanent residents in the USA of the San Joaquin Valley and the Lower Colorado River Valley of Arizona and California. It is an extremely rare vagrant to Western Europe, with some records suspected to refer to escapes from captivity.

These birds forage in the marsh, in fields or on the ground; they sometimes catch insects in flight. They mainly eat seeds and insects. Outside of the nesting period, they often feed in flocks, often with other blackbirds.

This bird's song resembles the grating of a rusty hinge.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
eqshannon, PaulGana, NinaM, CeltickRanger, angela926, rcrick has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

You do such a great job capturing birds Tom, this one is no exception. I didn't know we had these in this area as I've never seen one. Clear sharp image with lovely blurred background. I love the cattails he's perched upon, they add texture to the image and make for a great composition, well done.

There he is...what a nice quiet capture....almost looks like a place you can hear your voice ring through the echoes...Wonderful image...I am NOT the bird man of Washington...YOU ARE! Great shot tom.
Bob

very nice shot, good focus

Wonderful color, great composition, great details...wonderfully done!!!

hello Tom

very beautiful shot of this Yellow-headed Blackbird launching his cry,
very fine POV, DOF and framimg, great sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

Hello Tom,
Great capture, fantastic sharpness and depth of
field, excellent composition, good point of field
and great timing, beautfiul vivid colors and nice
contrast, lovely background, good light and
excellent clarity.
Angela

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 557 W: 39 N: 1001] (3266)
  • [2008-05-03 23:22]

Hi Tom,

Excellent shot of this Yellow-headed Blackbird, stunning colours abd well framed, really nice work, all the best,

Cheers Rick :)

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 544 W: 0 N: 1303] (4365)
  • [2008-05-04 7:01]

Wow, Tom, it is a nice picture indeed, b eautiful colours, outstanding background, superb composition. Congratulations, it is real nice,

Francine

pts tomorrow

nice work - beautifoul shot of tis yellow headed blackbird launching his cry-cry

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