This is my version and I hope you don't mind me editing the image for educational purposes.
I think the higher stick is making your main subject down in the frame. Be cloning it out, you not only isolating your main subject even more but you are make it stronger in the frame.
Thanks for taking the time to edit my picture.
I debated in my mind whether to leave that stick and then crop even tighter. I would crop off the right and the top were the right hand stick not in the frame.
I like both versions but not the head angle; the bird is facing slightly away...
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I don't mind the tall stick s tince you were careful to include the top of it, but the repost looks fine too. Love the clean bg and sharp detail. Wish for a bit of a head turn.