Troupial (Matico) - Unusual shot

[Patricio Murphy]

I consider this one an unusual shot for two reasons: the first, the fact that I shot the bird from behind. The second, it's a very rare bird in Buenos Aires. The story I heard was that it was freed after an illegal shipmen of exotic birds was discovered, but the birds, which are from a quite different environment, adapted very well.
I like the back shot beacuse it shows some details that are otherwise not so evident, and there's still some eye contact. There was very little to do with the background, the vegetation very close to the bird. I could have opened a bit, but I think I wouls have lost either focus on the eye or the feathers I wanted to show.
Comments, critiques and advise welcome!
Nikon D200, AI Nikkor 400mm f/3.5. ISO 200, f/8, 1/320

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Beautiful bird and thanks for sharing the story. More eye contact would of course help and I find the large branch at the top distracting.