<< Previous Next >>

Kung Fu Pigeon


Kung Fu Pigeon
Photo Information
Copyright: Japie Venter (japie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-10-22
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Tamron 28-300XR, Skylight
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/60 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Doves and Pigeons [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-10-27 15:50
Viewed: 1746
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Beware!! This is the Kung-Fu pigeon I mentioned in my previous post . His attack is known to be swift, from behind and usually targets the victims nose! I took this mug shot in order to identify him from a police lineout.

This is the Speckled (Rock) Pigeon (349)

A large reddish-grey pigeon, which lives about buildings and cliffs. Size: 30-34cm About one and half times bigger than a laughing dove. Afr: Kransduif

This large maroon-brown pigeon is common in towns. The bill is short, slender and black in colour. The eye is yellowish and is surrounded by a ring of red skin. The legs and feet are purplish red.

This large pigeon is maroon-brown streaked with white on neck, and spotted with white on the wings. The head, rump and rest of the underparts are blue-grey. The red eye-patch is quite obvious. The tail is grey with a black tip.

The Speckled Pigeon occurs naturally in rocky mountains, along cliffs and gorges and on rock outcrops. It has adapted well to urban areas and human habitation and often nests on houses and other buildings. They are often seen on the roofs of houses. They are very strong fliers and travel long distances to feed - sometimes appearing in large numbers in cropland.

They are very obvious when displaying - In the breeding season, the males display by flying high in the air, and circling around, clapping their wings in bouts, before returning to the perch.

They make a deep hooting sound, which consists of a series of deep hoots: Hooo, hooo, hooo... which increases in tempo and volume - and are uttered at about half second intervals.

Speckled pigeons eat seeds and grain shoots.

Speckled Pigeons nest all year around. The nest is a flimsy platform of sticks, twigs, weeds and grass, placed on ledge of cliff., cave, donga, building or pylon.

The camera settings:

Focal Length: 238mm
F Stop: F/6.3
Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec
ISO: 200
Tripod: No
Flash: Diffused Off Camera TTL
Reflective Panel: No
Cable release: No
Protective gear: No
Luc, AndyB, willie, marhowie, PDP, LordPotty has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To marhowie: Tripodjapie 2 10-28 10:43
To gerhardt: Chickjapie 1 10-27 17:20
To gerhardt: Chickjapie 1 10-27 17:19
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Kiai! These doves are huge. I have a pair breeding in the roof. They have a little one on the nest. Not so little anymore. I didn't want to dissturb them but think the chick is large enough to have a peek now.

Great shot! Fabulous eye-detail. Well done Japie!

Good colour and expression here, and the detail in the feathers is pretty good to.

Excellent image. What great detail you have shown in the plumage. The colour around the eye is, well.... eye catching!

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1391 W: 32 N: 1350] (3982)
  • [2004-10-28 5:27]

So this is him!
A good striking pose.
Excellent detail of the eye and plumage.
Good note too,very well done.

Great Focus and detail. Nice sparkle in the eyeball. All round a very good picture. He has a brutal looking beak and I understand you know all about that.

Japie, A great profile of your "Kung Fu" pigeon! It's # 1 in my line-up!! ;-)) Always appreciate a good stab at some humor here..it makes these postings "fun". I see great details & great colors. Thanx for this one!! P.S. I see you didn't use a tripod on this shot..It might've hardend-up the image slightly @ 1/60th?

ah, the famous danger pigeon!
i wouldn't dare to take a shot of it, especily not after it atacked me in the back, but you seem very brave!! lol
good shot, very sharp and exclenet details on the eye,the faithers,...

good shot

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779] (11769)
  • [2004-10-28 13:44]

Hi Japie, lovely post. Excellent portrait. The details in the feathers are good and the colour in the eye - wow. Are they good eating...I haven't had dinner yet, can you tell? :-)

Surprised you'd get so close a second time.He's a handsome bird,and this is a great portrait of him.Wonder if he'd mess with my heavyweight.(See Kereru-NZ native pigeon, posted today).Steve

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF