05 March 2013

Crested Pigeon


 
With the tele-converter lens on this camera, 72 mm is stretched out max. and equates to 734.4 mm
 
Well there's the technical bits done, Ocyphaps lophotes, is the scientific name for the handsome Crested Pigeon.  My, I admire ornithologists who can rattle those names off the tips of their tongues; some achievement remembering the spelling and the pronunciation. 
 
This bird generally is timid in nature, so having the extra zoom sure does help to pick up a reasonable snapshot.  Not only do they look quaint, but they have a very quaint call too; a very distinctive (and explosive, my bird book says), 'whoop' voice. 
 
Another little oddity is when they take flight, there is a very recognisable whistling sound.  According to Birds in Backyards  this sound is bought about by the air passing over a modified primary feather on the wing.


16 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

well, you and that teleconverter kick butt! this shot is awesome!

Brian King said...

This is the most striking pigeon I've ever seen! Beats our pigeons by a long shot! Nice catch light, Carole!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

gnarly bird - hey, that is the 1st word that popped into my head. i go with it. that was a word we used in school - & it was a good thing! ha. ha!! such a great bird. love those colors. ( :

Montanagirl said...

Better looking than "our" pigeons! It looks like a cross between a Mourning Dove and Jay of some kind!!

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

Your teleconvertor is much better than mine. My TC sets in my case and hasn't been used in over a year. Great photo!

Anonymous said...

Such a nice shot!

Irma said...

Great photo Carole, pretty close can you do this by shooting the teleconverter, very well done.
Greetings Irma

Unknown said...

A beautiful bird.
We dont have this species here.
Costas

Bob Bushell said...

Wonderful Pigeon image, thanks Carole.

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

A very special bird and a fantastic portrait. Great !

Jan Castle said...

Really pretty...well done Carole!

Phil Slade said...

That's a stunner Carole, bird and photograph. Thanks for the technical info too, you have a good camera system there.

Liz said...

You have a new teleconverter? I have missed so much.
Wonderful close up Carole!

Anonymous said...

Awesome capture of another new bird to me. Nicely done Carole.

Carole M. said...

thanks for your comments everyone; and to Liz - the tele-converter I've been using for much of last year too. Details written up with camera info' in my profile.

Judy said...

What a gorgeous bird!! And thank you for the information about the whistling from the wings!! I hear it most from the ducks, though, not the various doves...