Blue-black Grassquit (Volatinia jacarina)
Trinidad
June 17, 2012
Nancy took this image while on a trip led by Brian Rapoza for the Tropical Audubon Society to Trinidad and Tobago.
This is a common little bird (4" long, ⅓ ounce), found in weedy and brushy fields, farmland, and other open grassy areas in tropical lowlands and foothills from southern Mexico south into northern Argentina, as well as Trinidad and Tobago.
This is a non-breeding male. Their head and upper body don't turn blue for their breeding plumage until the summer rainy season. Females and immature males might be considered LBJs (little brown jobs) with brown on the wings and upper parts and lighter buff on the underparts.
Blue-black Grassquits eat seeds. They are known locally as "Johnny Jump-up" for the males' jumping courtship displayvideo.
Photographic details: Canon EOS 7D camera w/ EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens and EF 1.4x II extender set at 560mm. Off-camera flash was used. Camera was on f/8 for 1/500 second at ISO 200. Exposure was increased ½ stop in post-processing.
To order a print of this image, hit the button to the left. Before you do, you may want to check the maximum size estimates below.
| Print details: maximum size | Medium | Printed | Estimated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Art Paper | N/A | 6" x 41/2" | |
| Canvas | N/A | 91/2" x 7" |
Currently In Stock
Since this is not part of our regular fine art collection, we do not generally keep these in stock, and presently have none immediately available. As a special order, we can print to your specifications any size within the above limits to the nearest 1/16" with any mat and moulding combinations. To order, hit the above "Order Now" button and fill in as much information as is appropriate.