Male Blackbird

Gallery: AvianPosted January 12, 2011110 views15 comments

I'm assuming this is a male Blackbird? please correct me if I'm wrong.
It has the characteristic yellow beak of the male but it's body is brown like a female's.
Taken from the hide out my back yard.

Sony A350
Sigma 50-500
1/125th
f8
ISO 200
230mm
+0.3 stop exposure compensation
Centre-weighted metering
Tripod

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by wade pettitt on January 12, 2011 at 6:50 PM

Goeffrey, this doesnt look like a blackbird. It has a bill like a robin, but I might be wrong. Great background and good detail. Well done!!

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on January 12, 2011 at 7:01 PM

Hi Wade, I'm from Wales in the UK and this is what we call a Blackbird over here, our Robin is tiny in comparison.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 12, 2011 at 8:02 PM

I think I found it: Turdus merula, also known as the Common Blackbird or Eurasian Blackbird. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Blackbird It is a true thrush (which is why it reminds us of a robin).
Beautiful shot of it. Interesting perch too.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on January 12, 2011 at 8:15 PM

Thanks Steve, yes, that's the bird.
I think this photo may be of a young male?

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 12, 2011 at 8:32 PM

Very nice thrush. I love the understated colors in this and the way the soft light brings out the best of them.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on January 12, 2011 at 8:53 PM

Definitely Turdus merula as far as I see. Perhaps an immature male.

Excellent perch and photo with very good eye contact.

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 12, 2011 at 9:37 PM

Beautiful! Bird, background, and perch are all terrific, with a very nice pose.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 12, 2011 at 9:40 PM

Beautiful, Geoffrey. I like the limited palette and the subtle shades in the bird. Great eye contact.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on January 13, 2011 at 4:39 AM

Awesome shot, Geoffrey !
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Turner on January 13, 2011 at 4:54 AM

Beautiful bird and nice eye contact.

Registered on September 14, 2010, 3 Posts, 10 Comments

Comment posted by David Moynahan on January 13, 2011 at 12:31 PM

Beautiful shot, Geoffrey. Light, pose, perch - all just right.

Registered on December 11, 2010, 11 Posts, 77 Comments

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on January 13, 2011 at 12:43 PM

Top quality Blacky shot, Geoffrey

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 13, 2011 at 3:53 PM

Very nice all around image quality, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laredo on January 13, 2011 at 5:02 PM

This is real nice Geoffrey. Excellent perch and detail.

Registered on March 18, 2008, 71 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 13, 2011 at 8:03 PM

Lovely study of a Blackbird Geoffrey. The male's plumage has a distinct brownish tinge in the non-breeding season.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments