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Oriental Magpie Robin


Oriental Magpie Robin
Photo Information
Copyright: Ram Thakur (ramthakur) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3295 W: 167 N: 9912] (32154)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-12-07
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D200, Sigma EX 105mm F2.8 DG Macro, 58mm UV
Exposure: f/8, 1/160 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-12-29 19:34
Viewed: 867
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
In the first week of December this year, I was pottering around in the garden of our residential complex in search of some wild life. I did not find anything worthwhile until I noticed this bird hopping around the swimming pool.
I shot it while it stood for a moment on the artificial rock from which an artificial waterfall drops into the sunk-in swimming pool. I was again ill-equipped for bird photography because I was expecting insects to shoot and had my 105mm macro mounted on the camera. Anyway, I took the chance and this is what I came up with.

Since I am not good at identifying birds, it took me days to reach its ID.

The Oriental Magpie Robin, Copsychus saularis is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but now considered an Old World flycatcher. They are found in tropical Asia.

Description

This species is 19cm long, including the long tail that is usually held cocked upright. It is similar in shape to the smaller European Robin, but is longer-tailed. The male has black upperparts, head and throat apart from a white shoulder patch. The underparts and the sides of the long tail are white. Females are greyish black above and greyish white. Young birds have scaly brown upperparts and head.
The nominate race is found in the Indian Subcontinent and the females of this race are the palest. The females of the Andamans race andamanensis are darker and the birds are heavier-billed and shorter tailed. The Sri Lankan race ceylonensis and southern nominate individuals have the females nearly identical to the males in shade. The eastern populations (Bhutan and Bangladesh) have more black on the tail and were formerly named erimelas. The populations in Burma and further south are named as race musicus. A number of other races have been named across the range including prosthopellus (Hong Kong), nesiotes, zacneus, nesiarchus, masculus, pagiensis, javensis, problematicus, amoenus, adamsi, pluto, deuteronymus and mindanensis. However many of these are not well marked and the status of some are disputed.
It is mostly seen close to the ground, hopping along branches or foraging in leaf-litter on the ground with cocked tail. Males sing loudly from the top of trees or other perch during the breeding season.

Distribution and habitat

This magpie-robin is a resident breeder in tropical southern Asia from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia, south China and the Philippines. They have been introduced in Australia.
The Oriental Magpie Robin is found in open woodland, cultivated areas often close to human habitations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_Magpie_Robin

Thanks for looking.
crs, Argus, Juyona, rousettus, eng55, eqshannon, Noisette has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Ram,
Nice attempt at bird photography with short tele :) You have created a B&W effect here, since they never sit still the shutter speed of 1/160S might have casued slight softness in the image. TFS, regards
Anil

  • Great 
  • crs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 523 W: 0 N: 920] (3543)
  • [2008-12-29 22:10]

Hello Ram,

You have made a fine portret of this bird despite the macro lense you have had to use. Good details of the bird can be seen and colors looks saturated and vivid. The artificial rock looks nice to and with its even color makes a fine background.

Thank you for sharing,
Cristian

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3808 W: 190 N: 11328] (34927)
  • [2008-12-29 22:27]

Hello ram,
Nice capture of a Magpie Robin, again with your telemacro! The pose,POV, sharpness and contrast with the cement boulder are all excellent to give a fine portrait of the species.
I find that a soft-back bird-guide, Pocket Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by Grimmett, Inskipp and Inskipp very useful and is the backbone to my Indian bird ID's.
TFS and all the best,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2261 W: 10 N: 2629] (15559)
  • [2008-12-29 23:28]

Hola Ram,
hermosa y original captura,
buen pov. y pose...
estupendos colores.
saludos amigo

  • Great 
  • Rosa Gold Star Critiquer [C: 56 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-12-30 0:45]

Hello Ram,
great perspective and colour,
sharpness is perfect.
Thank you for the note
Have a beautiful day
Rosa

Hello Ram,
This is really interesting looking with confusion a Magpie and a Robin; but is very beautiful. Your shot also very nice with focus, eyes contact, composition and focus. Thanks for sharing, best wishes
Ahmet

Hi Ram,
Well utilised the situtaiton, doing bird photography with macro lens must be fun, no doubt you are making use of time very well these days :)TFS
Shekar

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1130 W: 32 N: 1137] (3508)
  • [2008-12-30 4:39]

Hi Ram,
Lovely capture of this interesting robin.POV,details,clear eyes and composition are exclelent.
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2569] (9065)
  • [2008-12-30 6:39]

Hi Ram,
a lovely bird well taken at this nice basckground. the colours are well seen and it is sharp to notice the feathers and eyes. nice capture. In my country, this bird I think sings a lot and make a lot of sounds.

Regards,
Foozi

The almost granite looking rock really is the best perch and sets off the bird both in shape and in colours and tonality Ram...One of your better is a while..Tres bien!
Bob

nice composition , great details and sharp,
Happy New Year !
septimiu

hello Ram
you made a beautiful shot of this magpie, it seems to posed especially for you. good composition with the rock as BG
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU
Jacqueline

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