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Superb Starling (Spreo superbus)


Superb Starling (Spreo superbus)
Photo Information
Copyright: Heinz Koloska (wallhalla15) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1767 W: 58 N: 3350] (13829)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-10
Categories: Birds
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
Exposure: f/3.6, 1/60 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Colourful Birds [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-11-14 14:16
Viewed: 7337
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Superb Starling (Spreo superbus)

Range:
Northeast Africa: Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and the Sudan.

Habitat:
Woodland, thorny bush and acacia country as well as in close proximity to human habitation, even within cities.

Characteristics:
The superb starling is a small but distinctive bird with metallic greens and blues on its chest, back and wings and duller black on top of its head. The chestnut belly is divided from the dark chest by a stripe of white. There is white also under the wing and under the tail base. Eyes are pale yellow. Immature birds are duller black without the breast band and have dark eyes. Sexes are alike.

Behavior:
The superb starling is gregarious and feeds in groups on the ground, often near towns and fields or near animal herds. Its song is a varied whistling and warbling, its alarm is loud and whining. It often mimics other species.

Reproduction:
Courtship behavior involves small jumps on the ground, trailing wings, neck outstretched. Breeding season varies within range. Usually four green/blue eggs are laid in a nest of grass and twigs lined with feathers low in a thorny bush or tree or in a cliff hollow.

Male and female share responsibility for nest building, incubation, and feeding of young.

Interesting Facts:
The starling family of 103 species includes mynah birds and oxpeckers. Starlings are all old world natives, mostly from Asia and Africa (except for the common starling, native to Europe, and one species in Australia). The common starling has been introduced to the new world.


- pictured bird park Heiligenkirchen -
dew77, Alex99, Hil, nainnain, greenpinkorange, scottevers7, Matt-Bird, Janice, coasties, ramthakur, SkyF, oscarromulus has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4432 W: 248 N: 4028] (13270)
  • [2006-11-14 14:52]

Hello Heinz,
Very interesting bird it's new to me.I liked vivid colors,POV,framing,eyes and expression on face are wonderful.
TFS...:-)

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2006-11-14 15:15]

Hi Heinz.
Fantastic in its beauty shot. Outstanding color palette, sharpness and details of this amazing bird. Very attractive branches which decorate picture perfectly. Bravo and my best regards.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 696 W: 13 N: 1407] (5035)
  • [2006-11-14 15:38]

Hi Heinz

Fabulous shot of a very striking bird, nice composition and POV, the focus on the Starling is superb and the colours are wonderfully vivid.

TFS Hilary :o)

IT's lovely colourful birds.TFS

bonsoir
que de magnifiques couleurs pour ce bel oiseau, tellement nettes que l'on croirait un tableau peint a la main, bons détails
bravo, beau travail
merci du partage
amitiès
edith

surprised is the word to describe its eyes!
colors are vibrant and striking.
nice composition, like the natural surroundings.
Good one, its eyes are just staring at me!
STeph

Hi Heinz,
A superb portrait shot on this Superb Starling. A spot on exposure has brought out the amazing colors and detail in the plumage. Well composed and framed. A beauty!
Scott

Hi Heinz,
Brilliant colours captured here. I think the framing of the head by the surrounding stick and branches is nice, so good POV.
Good shot,
regards
Matt.

Very attractive color and good DOF and compo. Just my opinions, You should make the bird more sharpen and the back ground more blured.
I like it and TFS.
DT.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2006-11-15 2:37]

He's a very bright looking Starling Heinz - I never knew there were colours like this. The colourss are quite startling, well shown, TFS
Janice

Hello Heinz

What a bright fella. Beautiful plumage. You show it well. Nice eye contact. Image is clear and sharp. TFS.

The rich colours of this bird are a veritable feast to the eyes, Heinz.
Wonderful image in which you have captured the bird in a lovely posture.
The branches in front of the bird actually enhance the beauty of the composition.
TFS.

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2234 W: 188 N: 1912] (8073)
  • [2006-11-16 8:01]

Hallo Heinz,
wow bei dem Anblick wacht man ja richtig auf, die Farben sind einfach super. Super festgehalten, POV, Schaerfe und Bildeinteilund sind einwandfrei.
Gruss..Sky

How very VIVID are these colours.
A lovely register indeed.
Loved your notes too.
Mario from VERY VERY cold Calgary.

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