Show your Bird Portraits

[Click]

Very nice series, Noreaster. The 4th photo is really beautiful.

 

[ISv]

This is exceptionally rare for our region, a Redbacked Shrike, just an occasional sighting in the country and they do not breed here. The bird was so far away it occupied only a 100px100px square of the 45 Mpx sensor with 800mm in front. I couldn't see it with the naked eye and was pointed in the right direction by a birder with a powerful 'scope.

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Congrats Alan! Below is a present for you. Not an achievement because they are everywhere in Bulgaria (no comparison to your bird!). First two are juveniles (2019) after that an adult (2023) that came very close to me...

 

[ISv]

And these from today: the commons. On other hand I don't remember when for last I took photos of female Northern Cardinal (yesterday on very different location I took photos of several males).

 

[Click]

Another very nice series, ISv. Beautiful shots.

 

[BigMac]

Red Winged Blackbird from a nearby lake...

 

[Click]

Nice shot. Keep posting. BigMac.

 

[ISv]

Another very nice series, ISv. Beautiful shots.

Thanks Click!

 

[foda]

Kalij Pheasant seen while birding in Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii.

R5MkII RF200-800mm

 

[Click]

Well done with its wings spread out like that.

 

[foda]

Well done with its wings spread out like that.

Thanks. I was fortunate to be able to record the courtship drumming of this male. Unfortunately I could not maneuver around the foliage in the foreground.

 

[AlanF]

At last, I got a Willow Warbler. They are very, very similar to a Chiffchaff, best distinguished by their song, and this was the warbler. I'm an opportunistic birder, and came across this one in the Lake District here today, having just driven up to see the children. Right high up in a tree but not much can escape the 200-800 on the R5ii.

 

[foda]

At last, I got a Willow Warbler. They are very, very similar to a Chiffchaff, best distinguished by their song, and this was the warbler. I'm an opportunistic birder, and came across this one in the Lake District here today, having just driven up to see the children. Right high up in a tree but not much can escape the 200-800 on the R5ii.

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Congratulations! Always a nice feeling to come across a bird serendipitously and be able to photograph it in good light.

 

[AlanF]

Congratulations! Always a nice feeling to come across a bird serendipitously and be able to photograph it in good light.

Light is so important - here, right behind me in this evening's sun.

 

[Click]

Congratulations Alan. ...And very nice shots of that bird.

 

[foda]

It's finally here! AviList v2025 was published today. Read more about it here and here.

"The publication of AviList means that for the first time ever, we have a unified global checklist of the species of bird found on planet Earth."
Note, however, that "standardization of English names was not formally considered." So there's still that that we'll have to contend with.

Spoiler alert: 11,131 species.

 

[ISv]

At last, I got a Willow Warbler. They are very, very similar to a Chiffchaff, best distinguished by their song, and this was the warbler. I'm an opportunistic birder, and came across this one in the Lake District here today, having just driven up to see the children. Right high up in a tree but not much can escape the 200-800 on the R5ii.

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I can't hear the song - increase the volume please! ))!
Fortunately you have that second shot: one can clearly see the long primary projection! Chiffchaff has it shorter... Otherwise because the light/background it looks little bit so "dirty" on the flanks/belly for the Willow and my first reaction was "what he is talking..." Supercilium and the cheek color are difficult to access in tricky light...
These are really difficult for ID.
Congratulations and these are really very good shots (especially the second one - just because it makes the ID easier)!

 

[AlanF]

I can't hear the song - increase the volume please! ))!
Fortunately you have that second shot: one can clearly see the long primary projection! Chiffchaff has it shorter... Otherwise because the light/background it looks little bit so "dirty" on the flanks/belly for the Willow and my first reaction was "what he is talking..." Supercilium and the cheek color are difficult to access in tricky light...
These are really difficult for ID.
Congratulations and these are really very good shots (especially the second one - just because it makes the ID easier)!

You can see also in this shot that its legs are pink, whereas the Chiffchaff are usually dark grey or blackish_brown.

 

[AlanF]

From this morning, a juvenile European Robin with its pre-adult feathers and gape, and very exciting for me a Common Redstart - they are very rare in my part of the country, where I have never seen one. (R5ii/800mm).

 

[Click]

It's always a pleasure to look at your photos, Alan.

 

[ISv]

From this morning, a juvenile European Robin with its pre-adult feathers and gape, and very exciting for me a Common Redstart - they are very rare in my part of the country, where I have never seen one. (R5ii/800mm).

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Not only rare to your part of the country but also with an excellent photo! I don't mine the "busy" background (I actually think the photo looks even more interesting with it). Only (small!!!) minus is that overexposed patch on the forehead but at that light conditions it was practically unavoidable I believe.