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Red-breasted Nuthatch


Red-breasted Nuthatch
Photo Information
Copyright: Richard Vincent (earthtraveler) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 427 W: 123 N: 947] (3483)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-09-06
Categories: Birds
Camera: Panasonic DMC-FZ50
Exposure: f/3.7, 1/60 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-09-10 9:39
Viewed: 3240
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Sitta canadensis

A characteristic bird of spruce and fir forests, the Red-breasted Nuthatch makes periodic irruptions out of its normal range when winter food supplies are low. During those years, it may be found along the Gulf Coast and even in the desert washes of northern Mexico.

Description
• Small nuthatch.
• Eyebrow white with black stripe through eye.
• Top of head black.
• Back gray.
• Underparts reddish.
• Climbs down trees headfirst.
• Size: 11 cm (4 in)
• Wingspan: 18-20 cm (7-8 in)
• Weight: 8-13 g (0.28-0.46 ounces)

Sex Differences
Top of male's head black, female's blue-gray. Female is paler underneath and has a narrower eyestripe.

Sound
Call a nasal bleating like a toy horn, series of short "annk" notes.

Conservation Status
Populations are increasing throughout most of the range.

Other Names
Sittelle du Canada, Sittelle เ poitrine rousse, Le Torchepot du Canada (French)
Sita canadiense, Saltapolos canadiense, Trepador Canadiense (Spanish)
Canada Nuthatch (English)

Cool Facts
• The Red-breasted Nuthatch applies sticky conifer resin globules to the entrance of its nest hole. It may carry the resin in its bill or on pieces of bark that it uses as an applicator. The male puts the resin primarily around the outside of the hole while the female puts it around the inside. The resin may help to keep out predators or competitors. The nuthatch avoids the resin by diving directly through the hole.
• During nest-building, the Red-breasted Nuthatch is aggressive towards many other bird species. It will chase away nest hole competitors such as the House Wren, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Downy Woodpecker. A particularly feisty nuthatch will also go after Yellow-rumped Warblers and House Finches. The nuthatch's aggressive tendencies subside after the nest is finished, although it remains aggressive towards potential predators and competitors.
• Red-breasted Nuthatches migrate southward earlier than many irruptive species. They may begin in early July and may reach their southernmost point by September or October.

Source : Cornell Lab of Ornithology
All About Birds - website

Aperture Priority
ISO 200
F-Stop 3.7
Exp. 1/60th sec.
Lens 420 mm equivalent
hand held

Thank you all for taking a look and to you who choose to share your thoughts...I appreciate it.
Richard
gannu, marhowie, eqshannon, uleko has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To eqshannon: Thanks Bobearthtraveler 1 09-10 18:39
To eqshannon: Thanks Bobearthtraveler 1 09-10 18:35
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • cali Silver Star Critiquer [C: 32 W: 0 N: 0] (316)
  • [2007-09-10 9:54]

tr่s joli portrait, cadrage impec. les couleurs sont aussi bien choisie surtout le fond qui se d้tache bien du sujet principal. merci.

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 358 W: 7 N: 1237] (7593)
  • [2007-09-10 9:56]

hi richard,
nice picture,
tfs

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2007-09-10 10:18]

Richard lovely shot but if you had taken the eye catch in total focus would have been fantastic. Nevertheless the blurred BG is superb. Ganesh

Very nice shot, Richard,
a wonderful bird in a pretty pose, very well done, bye
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1127 W: 254 N: 3161] (14464)
  • [2007-09-10 13:15]

Hi Richard,

A nice capture of this nuthatch,focus is a bit on the soft side,but colors,composition looking good,well done and tfs

Paul

There are no words for how much I love your pictures and perhaps it is my longing for the mountains and deeper in philosophical ways, my youth...but it is all brought out in the open for me through your wonderful pictures....Thank You! And I mean it!
Bob

Your composition and the bird's pose is quite effective Richard. The image is a bit soft, probably from hand holding at a relatively slow shutter speed for that focal length. I really like the lovely out of focus background.

TFS
Evelynn : )

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2007-09-10 22:27]

Hello Richard,
This is a superb shot of a Red-breasted Nuthatch, the colors showing very well against the natural bokeh and the pose typical of the genus. The composition and POV are excellent and if you had more light you would have had the sharpness to make this a perfect image.
Well done and TFS!
Ivan

Interesting pose and a great diagonal composition Richard.
Nice detail, DOF, color, and exposure also..Excellent notes,
Well done!
Howard

Hi Richard,
lovely shot
wonderful details and colours
cheers

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2007-09-11 12:22]

Hello Richard,
Very fine capture of the Nuthatch in a lovely pose. A little soft but I like the POV, the colours are beautiful and the dark background looks good. Very well compossed too.
TFS and regards, Ulla

Hi Richard, beautiful bird in great pose with splendid colors, wonderful blurry BG, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2007-09-11 22:20]

Hi Richard,
Wonderful shot with lovely colour tones and sharpness on its plumage. Superb lighting and you have captured a fabulous pose set againt a great BG. Excellent POV and very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

This is a beautiful bird that I have seen recently in my neighborhood. We usually have White-Breasted Nuthatch and now, this little one eating at the bird feeder. This is the first year I see it here. This is a very nice composition with beautiful details and colors. They are lovely birds. Thanks,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1393 W: 119 N: 5267] (23955)
  • [2007-09-14 18:16]

Hello Richard, great shot of the Nuthatch ! I really like the composition, the light and the exposure. Good blurred background and nice setting. It's a tiny bit soft and a bit noisy too. But it makes a very good image ! Thanks,

Mario

  • Great 
  • RP1 Gold Star Critiquer [C: 154 W: 1 N: 6] (251)
  • [2007-11-01 16:10]

Hi Richard,
Very nice shot. The composition is perfect.
You have a very nice collection of photo. I like particularly the composition and colour of your photos.
TFS,
Roger

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