As noise management improves with the latest cameras I am trying to avoid using flash as much as possible on certain families of birds. My experience is mainly in South America but the point may be relevant elsewhere.
Firstly, there is the effect of flash on birds with some iridescence in their plumage - families such as parrots, hummingbirds, manakins, trogons and jacamars. I find that flash significantly distorts the colours of the birds. Does anyone have any tips about how to minimise this distortion?
Secondly, there is the fact that for many families flash spooks the bird so that the bird jumps, raises its wings or takes off. I find this particularly with some tyrannid flycatchers, hummingbirds, manakins and tanagers. There is a thread on this forum which suggests that excessive flash use on hummingbirds might drive the birds away. I don't believe that flash harms the birds (though I have not seen any proper research on this) but I would rather not spook them if I could avoid it. Does anyone have any suggestions?