Eurasian Blackbird

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula (Peninsular subspecies T.m.nigropileus) | April 2016, Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra.

Tried some forest bird photography after a long long time, and was greeted by this, one of my favourite birds (in addition to my first Indian mouse deer, which I failed to photograph, at the same spot.) This image was clicked from an elevated point that gave me a view of the canopy and understorey.

The peninsular subspecies of the Eurasian blackbird inhabits hill forests, and can be seen most often just under the canopy, although it frequently forages on the ground and in shrubbery. What I find most amazing about this species is its vocal repertoire. It vocalises throughout the day, but its songs are most noticeable when it sings post-sunset, well after dark.

Nikon D3100, Nikkor 70-300 ED VR
SS 1/250
Av 5.6
ISO 1600
Some basic editing and noise reduction in Lightroom
Full frame

Thanks, C&C welcome.