ML51739421

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Behaviors

Flying

Tags

Habitat; Watermark

Observation details

* Three flocks sighted separately, comprising approximately 150, 400 and 100 birds respectively. * All flocks sighted on mountain slopes with rocks, bare shrubs and bare trees which served as perches. The second flock had a considerable number of birds perched on bare ground, as opposed to the other two flocks. * The observed ratio of male:female/immature birds was approximately 1:3 for the first flock and approximately 1:1 (or greater) for the second. The third flock was not observed closely, but from a distance, appeared to have as many or more males than females/immatures. [**These ratios were estimated from easily visible perched birds (all birds seen were perched at some point of time and counted). It is possible that some of the relatively cryptic females/immatures were not seen at all, and hence missed.] * No particular activity observed in any of the flocks. Most birds were very confiding, not reacting to approach (other than those on the road taking flight when any vehicle drove by). As has been previously documented for this species, the flocks seemed to take flight from time to time without any noticeable stimulus, circling for less than a minute and then settling on other perches within the same area. These movements seemed rather erratic, with no apparent objective. They did not appear to be a result of possible provocation, because every new perch was not particularly safer or less accessible than the previous.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 760D

Lens

EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

ISO

1600

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/8.0

Shutter speed

1/400 sec

Dimensions

1024 pixels x 559 pixels

Original file size

253.29 KB