Song of the corn bunting - Gastone Pivatelli - Wildlife Photographer of the Year2007

2007 Animal Behaviour: Birds - Highly Commended

Gastone Pivatelli Click to enlarge Song of the corn bunting

Gastone Pivatelli (Italy)

Song of the corn bunting

'I noticed the teasel plant was this male's favourite song post, and so I set up my camera early in the morning and waited for it to arrive. The air was so cold, the steam of its breath condensed into song-rings above.' In spring, the 'metallic' song of the corn bunting rings out. The males sing to attract as many females as possible to their territories. The corn bunting has declined dramatically in the UK, probably because year-round farming and use of pesticides has reduced the number of insects on which it feeds. It is listed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, to maintain the UK's wildlife.

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II + Canon EF 500mm f4 IS lens; 1/250 sec at f5.6; ISO 200; tripod.

This photograph is available to buy as a print.