Stripe-headed Rhabdornis

Very active in the forest canopy or middle story and sporting a contrasting plumage that complicates exposure work, this smallish bird  (6-1/4″ total length) is not easy to photograph well in its habitat.

I just got extremely fortunate that this individual perched for several seconds on a well-lit branch at Subic rainforest, allowing me to squeeze off a few frames at low ISO and fairly fast, motion-stopping shutter speed.

This photo was published at page 189 of the Handbook of the Birds of the World – Volume 13.  The publisher, Lynx Edicions, sent me a complimentary copy of the impressive tome, but it got destroyed when we were submerged in typhoon Ondoy’s flood in 2009. At a retail price of $ 314 per copy, I think I wouldn’t be able to afford a replacement book for now.

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Stripe-headed Rhabdornis (Rhabdornis mystacalis, a Philippine endemic)

Habitat – Canopy or middle story of lowland forest, edge and second growth.

Shooting Info – Subic rainforest, Zambales, Philippines, February 23, 2006, Canon 20D + Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG), 800 mm, f/9, ISO 200, 1/320 sec, manual exposure in available light, 475B/3421 support.