This male longclaw let me approach pretty close. Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 100-400mm, ISO 400, F5.6, 1/1250 at 400mm in Liuwa Plain National Park in Zambia.
I don't mind the space around the bird, but for me its the light quality and angle that were against you here (harsh and from high and behind the subject). I always try to photgraph when the light is not as strong...and with the sun to my back. Plumage looks a little rough...is this a juvenile begging for food, or an adult singing or "panting" in the heat?
It's an adult singing and panting in the heat. It was midday, probably also the reason he let me get so close, I only saw a few in full breeding plumage, and this was one of them.
Thanks for the comments :)