Tips for small birds in flight?

[Colin Knight]

It's tough!

It seems the only solution is patience, knowledge of their characteristics, and practice.

Canon 50D
1/1250, Shutter Priority, f/8.0, ISO 800, Flash w/ extender, 400mm

Enjoy,
Colin

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I think you are right, patience is one of the requirements and often it's just plain luck. You can also try to find out their favorite spots and wait there until they get comfortable. With some species a throw-over blind helps, too.

[Alfred Forns]

Agree with Axel Predicting behavior will go a long ways

Picking your bg will also help, difficult for the AF to lock in that situation. btw also in most instances having the correct sun/wind will make all the differences. Need to have the wind and sun at your back ..... birds generally land into the wind !!! Good luck btw you did well with that little guy !!!

[Colin Knight]

Thanks for the tip about the wind. I will try to use that one! I knew it was true for bigger birds but didn't know if it applied to these little guys.

Colin