Man, this guy looks so soft - the head so fluffy :-). The harsh light was dealt with best you could, but still rendered the lower part of the bird in dark shadow. I would darken the perch some (especially lower half), and crop at left as the comp is pretty centered - this would also rid the distracting dark spot in ULC. Good looking BG, and I like the sprinkling of lichens on the perch.
I would have left more room to the right and locate the bird higher in the frame too. Fill flash would have helped IMO.
Nice detail, BG, diagonal perch and sharpness.
Congratulaitons!