I’ve never before posted this image because of the “imperfection” of the peeling beak tip of this male American Kestrel. It’s possible that in this case it’s food debris rather than a peeling beak but I doubt it because this bird had been preening and made no attempt to clean off the beak that I noticed.
Bird beaks are largely composed of the protein keratin and like our fingernails are constantly growing. This can apparently cause flaking or peeling of the beak but I don’t understand why and so far internet research hasn’t provided the answer. Something else that intrigues me is the fact that I’ve observed this beak peeling or flaking quite often in kestrels but I’ve seldom if ever noticed it in other raptors (or even non-raptors). I’m wondering if any falconors or rehabbers may have some insight as to why beak peeling occurs in the first place (after all, healthy fingernails don’t peel) and why the condition seems to be more common (or noticeable) in kestrels than in other birds. I’m aware that beak flaking can be caused by a diet deficient in certain amino acids (especially in captive birds) but I doubt that explains what I see in so many wild kestrels.
1/2000, f/8, ISO 500, 500 r/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not baited, set up or called in
I also had a bit of a dilemma related to the composition of this image – notice that the bird is centered vertically in the frame. I could have cropped to move the kestrel lower in the frame but that would have meant two things: a), I’d have to add canvas to the image up top and b), the small broken twig tip on the right would then poke into the frame from bottom so I’d have had to clone it out. Both would have been easy to do but I’m reluctant to perform this kind of heavy-handed processing if it’s not really necessary.
So I’m wondering how much of a visual distraction (for lack of a better phrase) the vertically centered bird really is. I’m truly aesthetically challenged by these types of things and know that many of my readers are much more schooled in the rules of composition than I am. I realize that “rules are meant to be broken” at times but is this one of them? Perhaps the vertically centered bird is only a very minor issue (or not)?
Thanks for any insight on beak peeling and opinions about the composition (as usual, the “learning” on this blog is a two-way street).
Ron
Addendum: Since several of you are having a difficult time seeing what I thought was beak peeling I’m realizing that I probably shouldn’t have brought it up if I didn’t have a better photo that showed it in more detail. What I’m seeing is only on the very tip of the beak but perhaps in this case it’s only food debris after all. I’ve looked for other images that show it better but those were taken before I started blogging and stupidly I deleted them for their “imperfections”. Live and learn…
Ron, I find it very pleasing and balanced to the eye. It’s also slightly off center which is just enough of a tweak, if you ask me. Beyond that, I’d never complain about a Kestrel image this vivid and clear. 🙂
Honestly, Ron…I don’t think there is really much of a dilemma here. The compositional choice is spot on. All of the reasons you listed for making this choice are correct. Rule of thirds is a rule often observed in the breach. It is only desirable when the photo lends itself to such composition / cropping. When the subject matter ‘demands’ centering, vertically, horizontally, or both…THAT’S the way to do it. Your image is perfect as you chose to do it. And that’s not just superficial flattery. I’m death on bad composition, and never hesitate to point it out. When it is RIGHT, I also state that.
No beak peeling to be seen here either. A gorgeous bird. Thank you.
All I see is a truly beautiful bird (raptor), photographed perfectly, every detail of his feathers, and a bright shiny eye, looks very healthy to me.
This looks like food debris to me, Ron. And, yes, we do see some flaking, and even cracking, in our captive birds despite an exclusively whole prey, varied diet. I suspect it’s the lack of a perfect feaking place … often we’re feeding them on the glove, or to protect their feet, we have cocoa mat or AstroTurf covered perches in their enclosures – nothing like a nice rock to rub that beak on! And since all the enclosures are outside, putting emery cloth out doesn’t work – just gets wet and shreds. I’ve seen grossly overgrown beaks in some red-tails coming in from the wild (researchers have been trying to figure out what causes that for some years now), but don’t know that I’ve seen flaking in a wild bird.
I like the composition and your “crop” logic. The naturally weathered perch adds to the overall image and the vertical composition, while the slight additional space on the left gives the bird a bit of room in the direction it’s looking. I can’t really tell on my monitor what’s going on with it’s beak. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an actual peeling beak on a kestrel before, but have seen numerous cases of dried prey remains hardening to the point where they look like this. But only on males, and only during nesting season. Just speculation, but perhaps it’s because the male doesn’t spend the usual amount of time cleaning up after himself as he hunts almost non-stop during the period when he’s almost solely providing for his mate and the newly hatched chicks.
Thanks everyone. Since several of you are having a difficult time seeing what I thought was beak peeling I’m realizing that I probably shouldn’t have brought it up if I didn’t have a better photo that showed it in more detail. What I’m seeing is only on the very tip of the beak but perhaps in this case it’s only food debris after all. I’ve looked for other images that show it better but those were taken before I started blogging and stupidly I deleted them for their “imperfections”. Live and learn…
I’ll make this same comment as an addendum on the post so more are likely to see it. Sorry for the confusion.
I love this photo. Vertical centering is not an issue for me, perhaps because the bird is not in the exact center of the photo horizontally. I think the beak peeling (which I can’t see on my monitor) must be because the birds talk too much! Just kidding, but they are by far the most conversational birds I’ve ever encountered. We’ve been spending a lot of time watching a pair of them this spring and they are constantly talking to each other when both are in the same immediate area.
Ron- nice clean shot and background. I have found these little guys difficult to sit still and be close enough with the same equipment as you are using to get the perfect shot. I also have experienced the peeling beak on a Kestrel this spring. Keep ’em coming!
Wonderful portrait of a kestrel…composition, cropping is perfect…couldn’t be better. I can’t see how much this bird’s beak is peeling, but know some peeling is normal, some reflects dietary deficiencies, ex. protein, and in some cases, damage or disease. This bird looks healthy, so I hope it’s nothing serious.
OK, I’m not schooled in composition, and therefore my comments must be considered in that light.
I really like the image. There are times in photography, as you well know, where the rules we were taught are to be broken.
The Kestrel is the center of your view, there are no distracting elements in the photograph to balance an off center shot.
That being the case, in my opinion, your shot would NOT look as good if in fact you had tried to force the 1/3 rule, or the off center rule.
Being a biologist, I tend to like the unusual, e.g. peeling beak, behavior shots, images that are outside the box!!
So, keep these great shots coming Ron, you will have many of us eagerly waiting for the next image!!
On my monitor I can’t see “evidence” of beak peeling.[Just so people know this]
But,yes, sometimes there is noticeable keratin wear.
The reason birds came to me (from vet. care at a recognised hospital)for rehab was for high protein feeding and exercise prior to release.
While I never saw such peeling may have been due to the birds’ having been assessed as fit for pre-release before they came to me.
Given the extreme differences in you birds’ climatology, I can’t comment, but there may be a natural reason.
Great picture of my favourite raptor, anyway!