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Hi Peter, at this close range it may have benefitted from fill flash. Put your camera in shutter priority (TV) or P mode, and use some kind of flash diffuser. It will bring out alot more detail and form in the bird's body, and still leave you with a nicely exposed background. The diffuser will cancel out any harsh shadows or hotspots from the flash. You can use the fill flash with mirror lock-up and self-timer if the subject isn't moving much, or without if you need to capture a precise moment.

Maybe you were going for an almost silohuette though. Don't know.

Cheers,

Brett (temperate and tropical bird/nature/conservation photographer)

It is a very beautiful photo and becomes intimate. Regards.