A tail-less cisticola could be a fledgling or an older bird that has made a dramatic escape, leaving a predator with a bill full of tail feathers.
Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis)
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 400
Golden-headed Cisticola usually measure 10cm, the one above is probably about 6cm though it would still weigh approximately 10g. They are beautiful little birds. They eat insects and seeds from among tall grasses.
Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis)
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 1600
It’s usually a fairly easy decision to work out which crop best suits an image but I’ve been struggling with this shot, a lot.
I like the wide shot above but wonder if the out of focus foliage is too distracting. I’ve cropped the shot as a horizonal 3×2 (above), and as a vertical 4×5 and as a 1×1 below, but can see issues with each choice. If you have a favourite, or a least-liked, I’d be pleased to know your thoughts.
Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis)
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 1600
Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis)
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 1600
The cisticola’s wind-ruffled feathers look so pretty. I enjoy watching these little beauties, they never fail to delight me.
Happy birding
Kim
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I like the fourth photo best. To my mind the bird is the star and the bush (lovely too by the way) on which it is perched is slightly less prominent. Great photos!
Thank you Meredith. I don’t often use a square crop but I’m thinking it suits this image too
Delightful photos Kim, enjoyed seeing the different images of both the flora and the Cisticola.
Thank you Marg. Sometimes it’s pretty amazing that the birds hardly make a dint in the foliage
They are such a beautiful little bird in the saltbush, hard to photograph as they are so fast and flighty. I like the third image too.
Hope you are able to get out and about real soon.
Oh dear, now I’m confused about which one is the third image. I should have numbered the images. You are so right about their speed, like little meteors
4×5 Kim for me – bird and foliage shown to best advantage.
Pretty little fellow
Thank you Alison. I think I use 4×5 more often than other crops, it’s often my go-to crop
Exquisite!
They really are exquisite little birds
Love the autumnal colours.
My (overpaid) two cents worth? I like the third photo best, though it is a close run thing.
I am especially fond of birds with warm, russetty colouring. Hmm, I’m thinking you mean the final image, the third in the series …
Great pictures Kim
Thank you Bob